Thematic Bible: Shaking off vipers

And when they had saved themselves, they then learned that the island was called Melita. And the barbarians showed us no ordinary kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the rain which was falling, and because of the cold. And when Paul had brought together a heap of brushwood, and laid it on the fire, a viper came out, by reason of the heat, and fastened itself on his hand. read more.
And when the barbarians saw the reptile hanging from his hand, they said to one an other: This man is certainly a murderer, whom, although he has saved himself from the sea, justice does not permit to live. Then he shook the reptile from him into the fire, and suffered no harm. But they were expecting that he would become inflamed and swollen, or would suddenly fall down dead; yet, after expecting it for a long time, and seeing no harm befall him, they changed their mind, and said he was a god.