NOW as it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered
Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the
Augustan cohort. (2)And embarking in a ship of Adrymittium, ready to
sail for the coast of Asia, we proceeded on our voyage, Aristarchus a
Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. (3)And the next day we
arrived at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul with the greatest humanity,
and permitted him to go to his friends, to enjoy the benefit of their
care. (4)And taking our departure from thence, we sailed under Cyprus,
because the winds were contrary. (5)And traversing the sea opposite to
Cilicia and Pamphylia, we arrived at Myra, a city of Lycia. (6)And the
centurion finding there a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy, he put us
on board of it.
(7)Then for many days making very slow way, and scarce reaching over
against Knidos, the wind not favouring us, we coasted Crete, opposite
Cape Salmone: (8)and weathering it with difficulty, we came to a
certain place called, The fair havens; near to which is the city Lasea.
(9)And much time being consumed, and sailing now becoming dangerous,
because the fast was already past, Paul admonished them, (10)saying
unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be attended with much
damage and loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but _danger_ of
our lives also. (11)But the centurion paid more attention to the master
and to the pilot than to the things which were spoken by Paul. (12)And
the harbour not being well situated for a winter station, the greater
part advised to sail from thence, if they possibly could reach as far
as Phenice to pass the winter, a harbour open to the south-west and
north-west. (13)So when the south wind blew softly, supposing they had
obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor, and kept near the coast of
Crete. (14)But not long after a hurricane wind, called Euroclydon,
drove us towards the island, (15)and the ship becoming ungovernable,
and unable to bear up in the eye of the wind, we gave up the attempt,
and let her drive. (16)And running under a little island called Clauda,
it was with difficulty we were able to come at the boat: (17)which when
they had hoisted out, they used all helps, carrying ropes round the
ship's bottom; and fearing lest they should run on the quick-sands,
they lowered the mast, and so were driven. (18)And being exceedingly
tossed with the storm, we the next day threw out the cargo. (19)And the
third day with our own hands we threw overboard the tackling of the
vessel. (20)So when neither sun nor stars had appeared for many days,
and no small tempest beating on us, all hope of our being preserved was
entirely taken from us.
(21)Now after being a long while without food, then stood up Paul in
the midst of them, and said, Ye ought, my friends, to have been
persuaded by me, and not have sailed from Crete, and got this loss and
damage. (22)Yet even now I exhort you to be of good courage: for there
shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. (23)For there
stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
(24)saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Caesar: and behold!
God hath graciously given thee all who are sailing with thee.
(25)Wherefore, sirs, cheer up: for I believe God that it will be so,
exactly as he hath spoken to me. (26)But we must be cast on a certain
island.
(27)Now as the fourteenth night was passing, whilst we were driving
about in the Adriatic sea, about midnight the sailors imagined that
some land was near to them: (28)and sounding, had twenty fathoms; then
passing on a little farther, and sounding again, they had fifteen
fathoms. (29)And fearing lest they might run on some rocky coast, they
cast out four anchors astern, and wished eagerly for the day to break.
(30)Now as the sailors were seeking to escape out of the ship, and had
hoisted out the boat into the sea, under pretence as if they were going
to carry out anchors a-head, (31)Paul said to the centurion and to the
soldiers, Except these men abide in the ship, ye cannot be preserved.
(32)Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall
off.
(33)And while they waited until the day should break, Paul exhorted
them all to take some nourishment, saying, To day, expecting the
fourteenth day, ye are continuing without food, taking nothing.
(34)Wherefore I exhort you to take some food, for this is for your
preservation: for a hair shall not fall from the head of any one of
you. (35)And so saying, and taking a loaf, he gave thanks to God before
them all, and breaking it, began to eat. (36)Then were they all cheered
up, and they too took refreshment.
(37)Now all the souls which were in the ship amounted to two hundred
seventy-six: (38)and having made a hearty meal, they lightened the
vessel, throwing the wheat into the sea. (39)And when the day broke,
they knew not the land: but they observed a certain creek with a beach,
into which they resolved, if they could, to run the vessel aground.
(40)And weighing the anchors, they committed her to the sea, and
loosing at the same time the chains of the rudders, and hoisting the
foresail to the breeze, they made for the beach. (41)But falling on a
shoal where two currents met, they ran the ship aground; and the
forecastle stuck fast, and remained immoveable, but the stern was stove
in by the violence of the waves. (42)Then the soldiers' design was to
have murdered the prisoners, lest any of them should swim ashore and
escape. (43)But the centurion, desirous to preserve Paul, withheld them
from their purpose, and commanded those who were able to swim to jump
overboard first, and reach the land: (44)and that the rest should make
the attempt, some on planks, and some on the floating materials of the
ship: and in this manner so it was that they all safely reached the
shore.