27:1-10 When it was decided that we should set sail to Italy they delivered both Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion whose name was Julius. He was of an Augustan cohort. We set sail embarking in a ship that belonged to Adramyttium and which was about to sail along the coast of places in Asia. With us was Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. The next day we
were brought to land at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to be cared for. Then putting to sea we sailed close to Cyprus because of adverse winds. We sailed over the sea past Cilicia and Pamphylia and came down to Myra of Lycia.
(Note: Text is mainly a paraphrase of the Literal translation in the RSV Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, 1988)
27:6-10 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing down to Italy and he put us on board. We sailed slowly over several days because the wind was not favourable. We sailed close to Crete off Salmone and with difficulty we came to a certain place called Fair Haven. Near this was a
city of Laesea. When we arrived a lot of time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous. The fast (tide?) had now gone by. Paul advised them saying "Men I see that it will be only with injury and loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship but also of our lives (if we continue) the voyage."
27:11-29 But the centurion was persuaded by the steersman and the shipmaster rather than by what Paul said. The port was unsuitable for wintering (waiting out the bad weather). The majority decided to set sail from there (hoping) they might somehow arrive at Phoenix to pass the winter (there). This was a port of Crete looking toward the south-west and toward the north-west. When a south wind blew gently they thought they had obtained favourable conditions and raising the anchor they coasted by Crete close to the shore. But not long after there beat down a tempestuous wind called a 'northeaster'. The ship was grabbed (by the wind) and it was unable to struggle against it. Rather we were carried away by the wind. There was a certain islet close to the lee (shore
shelter from the wind) called Claudia. With great difficulty we were able to get enough control of the boat to hoist it up. They undergirded the ship fearing they might run into rocks. Then lowering the gear we went on. But as we were well in the grip of a storm. On the next day they threw the cargo overboard. On the third day they threw out the tackle of the ship. Over many days neither sun nor stars appeared and storm weather was pressing us hard. By now all hope that we might be saved had been given up. They (everyone) had been a long period without food when Paul stood up in their midst and said. "You men should have done what I said and not set sail from Crete and so come into this injury and loss. Now I advise you to be of good heart.
There will be no loss of life but only loss of the ship. For tonight an angel of the God whom I serve stood by saying "Do not
be afraid Paul, it is fitting for you to stand before Caesar. God will save all those who are sailing with you." Therefore be of good heart men.
I believe things will work out in the way that God has told me. It will happen that we will run onto some island."
Now when the fourteenth night arrived while we
were being carried about in the Adria (sea), about the
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middle of the night the sailors supposed some country was on the horizon. Having sounded (the depths) they found they were twenty fathoms from the bottom. (Then) having moved again they found the bottom to be fifteen fathoms down. They were afraid lest somewhere we might run into a rough patch (of rocks) so they threw four anchors out of the stern and prayed for day to come.
28:30-41 Then the sailors sought to flee from the ship and they lowered the boat (small boat?) into the sea under the pretence of throwing the anchors out of the bow (front of) the ship. Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers. "Unless these (sailors) remain in the ship you cannot be saved." So then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the (small) boat and let it fall off (the ship).
As day was about to come Paul urged everyone to eat saying "You have continued until today, the fourteenth day without food. I beg you to eat for this will be the saving of you., for not a hair from your head will be damaged." And so saying these things and taking some bread he gave thanks to God before all and
breaking it began to eat.Everyone picked up in spirits as they also ate. Now in the ship, all of us numbered two hundred and seventy-six people. Having eaten they lightened the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea. (Then) when day came they (saw) land which they did not recognise. But they noticed that a certain bay had a shore and they decided to try and steer the ship there. Having (already) cast off the anchors they left them in the sea. At the same time they loosened the fastenings of the rudders and raising the foresail to the breeze, they held the ship (under control) till they reached the shore. (Then) coming upon a spur between two bodies of water the vessel ran aground and couldn't move any further. Then the stern broke up with the force (of waves).
27:42-28:10 Now the soldiers had a mind to kill the prisoners in case anyone swam out and escaped. But the centurion wanted to save Paul and forbade them to do this. (Then) he ordered that those who could swim were to jump overboard first and get out onto the land. The rest were to follow,
some on planks and others floating on some of the things from the ship. And so it happened that everyone was saved and reached the land. Having been saved we then found out that the island was called Malta. The foreigners showed us extra kindness. Having lit a fire they welcomed all of us because of the rain coming on and
because of the cold. Paul collected a quantity of sticks and put them on the fire. But a snake came out from the heat and fastened on his hand. When the foreigners saw the beast hanging from his hand they said to one another. "This man is surely a murderer. He was saved from the sea but justice does not allow him to live. " He (Paul) then shook off the beast into the fire but suffered no harm. They expected him to be about to swell up or to suddenly fall down dead. They continued to expect this over a considerable time. But they saw that nothing amiss happened to him. So they changed their minds and said he must be
a god. Now in the area around, there were lands owned by the chief man of the island whose name was Publius. He welcomed us and for three days treated us with hospitality.
Now it happened that the father of Publius was suffering from feverish attacks and dysentery. He was lying
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down and Paul went (in to him) and praying, put his hands (on him) and cured him. When this happened the rest of the other people on the island who had ailments came up (to Paul) and were healed. And so it was with many honours that we put (back) to sea and we had everything we needed.
28:11-31 After three months, having passed the winter on the island we embarked on a ship.. This was Alexandrian with a sign of Dioscuri. Having been brought to land at Syracuse we remained there three days. From there by tacking (the boat) we arrived at Rhegium. After one day, as a south wind came on, we came on the second day to Puteoli. Having found brothers there, we were asked to remain seven days with them and so in this way we went on to Rome. There the brothers had heard the things concerning us and they came as far as Apil Forum and Three Taverns to meet with us. On seeing them Paul thanked God and he took courage. When we entered into Rome he (the centurion) permitted Paul to stay on his own with a soldier guarding him.
It happened that after three days he called together those who were Jews and when they came together he said to them "Brethren I have done nothing against the (Jewish) people or (against) ancestral customs. As a prisoner from Jerusalem I was delivered into the hands of the Romans. On having examined me they were minded to let me go as I had done nothing to deserve death. But when the Jews spoke against me I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, not that my nation had anything to accuse (me of). Because of this therefore I called you (together) to see and to speak to you. It is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I have this chain around me." They (the Roman Jews) said to him.
"We have not received letters about you from Judea. Nor have any brothers on arriving told (us about you) or spoke about you as being evil. We think it is right to hear from you and what you think about this sect (called the Nazarene sect by the Jews) which is known to us and which is spoken against everywhere." And so on arranging a day they came to his lodging again. He set forth solemnly a witness to the kingdom of God and persuaded them about Jesus both in terms of the law of Moses and the prophets. He taught from morning until evening. Some of them were persuaded by the things being said. Others disbelieved and on disagreeing with one another they departed. This was especially after one statement of Paul, that is, "The Holy spirit spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers saying "Go to this people and say: "In hearing you will hear but by no means understand. In looking you will look but by no means see. The heart of this people was thickened and they heard with heavy ears. They closed their eyes lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn (so that) I can cure them. Let it therefore be known to you that the salvation of God was sent to the nations and they will hear."
(Paul) remained a whole two years in his own hired apartment and he welcomed all those who came to him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without any opposition.
(Note: Text is mainly a paraphrase of the Literal translation in the RSV Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, 1988)
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27:1-28:20