Storm-Tossed Vessel
13 When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought they had achieved their purpose; they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
14
But not long afterwards, a fierce wind called the "northeaster" rushed down from the island.
15
Since the ship was caught and was unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
16
After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda, we were barely able to get control of the skiff.
17
After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Then, fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along.
18
Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day.
19
On the third day, they threw the ship's gear overboard with their own hands.
20
For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging; finally all hope that we would be saved was disappearing.
21
Since many were going without food, Paul stood up among them and said, "You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss.
22
Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship.
23
For this night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me,
24
saying, 'Don't be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And, look! God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.'
25
Therefore, take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me.
26
However, we must run aground on a certain island."
27
When the fourteenth night came, we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea, and in the middle of the night the sailors thought they were approaching land.
28
They took a sounding and found it to be 120 feet deep; when they had sailed a little farther and sounded again, they found it to be 90 feet deep.
29
Then, fearing we might run aground in some rocky place, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight to come.
30
Some sailors tried to escape from the ship; they had let down the skiff into the sea, pretending that they were going to put out anchors from the bow.
31
Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."
32
Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the skiff and let it drop away.
33
When it was just about daylight, Paul urged them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and going without food, having eaten nothing.
34
Therefore I urge you to take some food. For this has to do with your survival, since not a hair will be lost from the head of any of you."
35
After he said these things and had taken some bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of them all, and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
36
They all became encouraged and took food themselves.
37
In all there were 276 of us on the ship.
38
And having eaten enough food, they began to lighten the ship by throwing the grain overboard into the sea.