Acts

27 Now when it was determined that we should sail for Italy they proceeded to deliver Paul and certain other prisoners unto a centurion by name Julius, of an Augustan band.

2 And going on board a ship of Adramittium about to sail unto the places along the coast of Asia we put to sea, there being with us Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica;

3 and on the next day we put into Zidon,—and Julius treating Paul kindly gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh himself;

4 and from thence putting out to sea we sailed under the lee of Cyprus because the winds were contrary;

5 and sailing across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia we came down to Myra, a city of Lycia.

6 And the centurion there finding a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy put us therein.

7 And for a good many days sailing slowly and getting with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us to get on we sailed under the lee of Crete over against Salmone;

8 and with difficulty coasting it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near to which was the city of Lasea.

9 And when a considerable time had passed, and sailing was already dangerous because even the Fast had already gone by Paul began to advise,

10 saying to them—Sirs! I perceive that with damage and great loss not only of the cargo and of the ship but even of our persons shall the voyage certainly be attended.

11 But the centurion by the master and by the shipowner was more persuaded than by the things which by Paul were spoken.

12 And the harbour being incommodious to winter in the more part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any means they might be able to reach Phoenix to winter, [which was] a harbour of Crete looking north-east and south-east.

13 And a south wind blowing softly supposing they had secured their purpose weighing anchor they began to sail close in shore along Crete.

14 But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind called Euraquilo,—

15 and the ship being caught and we not being able to bring her head to the wind we let her go and were borne along.

16 And running under the lee of some small island called Cauda we were able with difficulty to make ourselves masters of the boat,—

17 which hoisting up they began to use helps, under-girding the ship; and fearing lest on the sand-bank of Africa they should run aground lowering the gear so were they borne along.

18 But we being exceedingly tempest-tossed on the next day they began to throw [cargo] overboard;

19 and on the third day with their own hands the tackling of the ship they cast away.

20 And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no small tempest lying upon us in the end all hope that we should be saved began to be taken from us.

21 But when they had been long without food then Paul standing in the midst of them said—Ye ought indeed Sirs! yielding to me not to have sailed away from Crete, to get this damage and loss . . .

22 And now I recommend you to be of good courage; for loss of life shall there be none at all from among you,—only the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night belonging unto the God whose I am unto whom also I am doing divine service a messenger,

24 saying—Be not afraid, Paul! for before Caesar must thou needs stand. And lo! God hath granted to thee as a favour all them who are sailing with thee.

25 Wherefore be of good courage, Sirs; for I believe in God—that so it shall be according as it hath been told me.

26 Upon a certain island however must we needs be wrecked.

27 And when the fourteenth night had come, and we were being driven to and fro in the Adriatic about midnight the sailors suspected that some country was nearing them;

28 and sounding they found twenty fathoms,—and going a little further and again sounding they found fifteen fathoms.

29 And fearing lest haply on rocky places we should be wrecked out of stern cast they four anchors,—and began praying that day might dawn.

30 But when the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea by pretext as though out of the prow they had been about to reach anchors

31 Paul said unto the centurion and unto the soldiers—Except these abide in the ship ye yourselves cannot be saved!

32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33 And until day was about to dawn Paul continued to beseech one and all to take some food, saying—This day is the fourteenth day that in suspense fasting ye are completing,—having helped yourselves to nothing.

34 Wherefore I beseech you to take some food,—for this lays a foundation for your safety; for of no one of you shall a hair of the head perish.

35 And having said these things and taken a loaf he gave thanks unto God before all, and breaking it began to eat.

36 And all becoming of good cheer they also helped themselves to food.

37 Now we were in the ship in all about seventy-six souls.

38 And when they were satisfied with food they began lightening the ship, casting out the wheat into the sea.

39 And when day came they could not recognise the land; but perceived a certain bay having a beach,—upon which they were minded, if they could, safely to bring the ship.

40 And casting off the anchors they let them go into the sea,—at the same time loosening the lashings of the rudders, and hoisting up the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.

41 But falling into a place where two seas met they ran the ship aground; and the foreship sticking fast remained immoveable, while the stern began to break up from the violence [of the waves].

42 Now the soldiers’ counsel turned out to be that they should kill the prisoners, lest any one should swim out and escape;

43 but the centurion being minded to bring Paul safely through hindered them of their purpose, and ordered such as were able to swim to cast themselves overboard and get first to the land,—

44 and the rest some on planks, and some on other things from the ship . . . and so it came to pass that all were brought safely through on to the land.