“1 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.”
“21 But 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.” (Acts 27:1-44 AV)
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