20
Then, when for several days neither sun nor stars were seen and the terrific gale still harassed us, the last ray of hope was now vanishing.
21
When for a long time they had taken but little food, Paul, standing up among them, said, "Sirs, you ought to have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would then have escaped this suffering and loss.
22
But now take courage, for there will be no destruction of life among you, but of the ship only.
23
For there stood by my side, last night, an angel of the God to whom I belong, and whom also I worship,
24
and he said, "`Dismiss all fear, Paul, for you must stand before Caesar; and God has granted you the lives of all who are sailing with you.'
25
"Therefore, Sirs, take courage; for I believe God, and am convinced that things will happen exactly as I have been told.
26
But we are to be stranded on a certain island."
27
It was now the fourteenth night, and we were drifting through the Sea of Adria, when, about midnight, the sailors suspected that land was close at hand.
28
So they hove the lead and found twenty fathoms of water; and after a short time they hove again and found fifteen fathoms.
29
Then for fear of possibly running on rocks, they threw out four anchors from the stern and waited impatiently for daylight.
30
The sailors, however, wanted to make their escape from the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow.