1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they
delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a
centurion of Augustus’ band. 2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium,
we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a
Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
3 And the next day we touched
at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to
go unto his friends to refresh himself.
4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus,
because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea of
Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 And there the
centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us
therein.
7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come
over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete,
over against Salmone; 8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which
is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous,
because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, (warned them) 10 And
said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and
much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more
part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to
Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth
toward the south west and north west.
13 And when the south wind blew
softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence,
they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind,
called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear
up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island
which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which
when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and,
fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so
were driven.
18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next
day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our
own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in
many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we
should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them,
and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed
from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort
you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life
among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel
of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou
must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them
that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe
God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and
down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to
some country; 28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they
had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen
fathoms. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast
four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they
had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would
have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and
to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her
fall off.
33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to
take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried
and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore I pray you to
take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair
fall from the head of any of you.
35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to
God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to
eat.
36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen
souls. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and
cast out the wheat into the sea.
39 And when it was day, they knew not
the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the
which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto
the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the
wind, and made toward shore. 41 And falling into a place where two seas
met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and
remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of
the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of
them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save
Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could
swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 And
the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship.
And so
it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
Beginning of This Chapter
Table of Content