Paul Ashore on Malta

28 Once safely on shore, wej found out that the islandk was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,l they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”m 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.n 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.o

7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,p placed his hands on himq and healed him.r 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored uss in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.