39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but sighted a bay with a beach. They planned to run the ship ashore if they could.
40
After casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and headed for the beach.
41
But they struck a sandbar and ran the ship aground. The bow jammed fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up with the pounding of the waves.
42
The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that no one could swim off and escape.
43
But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.
44
The rest were to follow, some on planks and some on debris from the ship. In this way, all got safely to land.