27 And
when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered
Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of
Augustus' band. 2 And
entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the
coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with
us. 3 And
the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul,
and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 4 And
when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the
winds were contrary. 5 And
when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra,
a city of Lycia. 6 And
there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and
he put us therein. 7 And
when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against
Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against
Salmone; 8 And,
hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens;
nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 9 Now
when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because
the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And
said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and
much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless
the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than
those things which were spoken by Paul. 12 And
because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised
to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and
there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south
west and north west. 13 And
when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their
purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But
not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And
when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let
her drive. 16 And
running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work
to come by the boat: 17 Which
when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing
lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18 And
we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened
the ship; 19 And
the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And
when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest
lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21But
after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs,
ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to
have gained this harm and loss. 22 And
now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any
man's life among you, but of the ship. 23 For
there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying,
Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given
thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore,
sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was
told me. 26 Howbeit
we must be cast upon a certain island. 27 But
when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria,
about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 28 And
sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further,
they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29 Then
fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out
of the stern, and wished for the day. 30 And
as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down
the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors
out of the foreship, 31 Paul
said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship,
ye cannot be saved. 32 Then
the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33 And
while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying,
This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting,
having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore
I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall
not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35 And
when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence
of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36 Then
were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37 And
we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 38 And
when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat
into the sea. 39 And
when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek
with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust
in the ship. 40 And
when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea,
and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and
made toward shore. 41 And
falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and
the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was
broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And
the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should
swim out, and escape. 43 But
the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded
that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and
get to land: 44 And
the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so
it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
