that the Christ must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles."

For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner.

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do."

And Paul said, "Whether in a short or a long time, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I amexcept for these chains."

When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius.

and said to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."

Because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

When a gentle south wind came up, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore.

After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables to undergird the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along.

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen exactly as I have been told.

But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to sense that they were approaching land.

Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak.

As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and without food, having taken nothing.

So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders; then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.

The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape.

and the rest on planks or on various pieces of the ship. And so it happened that they were all brought safely to land.

When we had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta.

They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead; but after they had waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

It happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed sick with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.

And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.

But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesarnot that I had any charge to bring against my own nation.

For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against."

Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."