5. 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 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. 27:42-28:10