Acts 27:13-38 - A Violent Storm At Sea
13 When the south wind began to blow gently, they raised anchor, thinking this was the opportunity they had hoped for, [then] sailed close to the coastline of [southern] Crete. 14 But a short time later, a violent northeasterly wind they called "Euraquilo" swept down, 15 and when the ship was caught [by it], we were not able to face the wind, so had to give in and allow the ship to drift. 16 Then, sailing on the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, we experienced difficulty in trying to secure the ship's life-boat. 17 And when they [finally] got the boat hoisted up, they slung [rope] cables underneath [and around] the hull [of the ship to reinforce it]. Then, fearing the ship would run aground on the [shifting], shallow sandbar [called] Syrtis, they lowered their [navigation] gear [Note: This may have been sails, rigging, etc.] and so were driven [as a derelict by the wind]. 18 As we were being severely battered by the storm, they began the next day to throw the cargo overboard [i.e., to lighten the ship]. 19 On the third day, they handed [the rest of] the ship's gear to each other, and threw it overboard [Note: This was perhaps furniture, rigging, sails, baggage, etc.].
20 When they could see neither the sun nor the stars for many days [due to the storm], and with the wind blowing furiously on them, they gave up all hope of [ever] being saved. 21 When they had gone without food for a long time, Paul stood in the middle of the crew and spoke, "Men, you should have listened to me and not sailed for Crete and thereby have to experience such suffering and loss. 22 But, now I want to encourage you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship [will be lost]. 23 For an angel from God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, appeared to me last night, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid Paul, for you must appear before Caesar, and look, God will grant you [the safety of] all these men aboard ship [along] with yourself.' 25 So men, cheer up, for I believe God, that everything will turn out just as I was told it would. 26 But we must be washed onto the shore of a certain island."
27 When the fourteenth night came, and while we were being tossed around [helplessly] in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the crew suspected they were nearing land. 28 So, they tested for depth and found [they were in] feet [of water]. Then a little later they tested again and found it to be 90 Feet. 29 So, fearing the possibility of being run aground on a rocky shore, they dropped four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight [to come].
30 The crew had [by now] lowered the life-boat into the water, pretending to be dropping anchors from the bow, [but were in reality] attempting to abandon ship. 31 Paul said to the military officer [Julius] and to his soldiers, "Unless these men stay aboard the ship, none of you will be saved." 32 So, the soldiers cut the ropes securing the life-boat and let it drift away.
33 As it was dawning, Paul urged the crew to eat something, saying, "You have been waiting for fourteen days [for the weather to break] and you have continued to fast [all that time], eating nothing [at all]. 34 I urge you to eat some food; it will be for your own good, for not one hair from anyone's head will be lost." 35 And when he had said this he took bread, gave thanks to God for it in front of everyone, then broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged and they themselves took something to eat also. 37 (The total number of us aboard the ship was 38 And when they had eaten sufficiently, they began lightening the ship [so it would float higher] by throwing their wheat overboard.