should first jump overboard and get to land;
027:044 and that the rest should follow, some on planks, and others
on various things from the ship. In this way they all got
safely to land.
028:001 Our lives having been thus preserved, we discovered that
the island was called Malta.
028:002 The strange-speaking natives showed us remarkable kindness,
for they lighted a fire and made us all welcome because of
the pelting rain and the cold.
028:003 Now, when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and had thrown
them on the fire, a viper, driven by the heat, came out and
fastened itself on his hand.
028:004 When the natives saw the creature hanging to his hand, they said
to one another, "Beyond doubt this man is a murderer, for,
though saved from the sea, unerring Justice does not permit
him to live."
028:005 He, however, shook the reptile off into the fire and was unhurt.
028:006 They expected him soon to swell with inflammation or suddenly
fall down dead; but, after waiting a long time and seeing
no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said
that he was a god.
028:007 Now in the same part of the island there were estates
belonging to the Governor, whose name was Publius.
He welcomed us to his house, and for three days generously
made us his guests.
028:008 It happened, however, that his father was lying ill of dysentery
aggravated by attacks of fever; so Paul went to see him, and,
after praying, laid his hands on him and cured him.
028:009 After this, all the other sick people in the island came
and were cured.