[28:1] After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
[28:2] The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
[28:3] When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
[28:4] When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
[28:5] He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
[28:6] They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
[28:7] Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
[28:8] It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him.
[28:9] And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
[28:10] They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.