1 And
when they were escaped, then they knew that the island
was called Melita.
2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little
kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every
one, because of the present rain, and because of the
cold.
3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks,
and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out
of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous
beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No
doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath
escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and
felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have
swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they
had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him,
they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
7 In the same quarters were possessions of the
chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who
received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius
lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul
entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and
healed him.
9 So when this was done, others also, which had
diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and
when we departed, they laded us with such things
as were necessary.