1. After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
3. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
5. He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.