1
And when they had escaped, they then learned that the island was called Malta.
2
And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness, for they kindled a fire and received us every one, because of the present rain and because of the cold.
3
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4
And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hanging from his hand, they said among themselves, "No doubt this man is a murderer whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live."
5
And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm.
6
Now they were expecting that he should have swollen or suddenly fallen down dead; but after watching a great while and seeing no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7
In the same quarters were the possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and lodged us three days courteously.