1
When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta.
2
The people who lived there were very good to us. Because it was raining and very cold, they made a fire and welcomed all of us.
3
Paul gathered a pile of sticks and was putting them on the fire when a poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit him on the hand.
4
The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul's hand and said to each other, "This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justicen does not want him to live."
5
But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt.
6
The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. They waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds and said, "He is a god!"
7
There were some fields around there owned by Publius, an important man on the island. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us for three days.
8
Publius' father was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and put his hands on the man and healed him.