Paul Sails for Rome
27When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer[a] named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment. 2Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was also with us. We left on a ship whose home port was Adramyttium on the northwest coast of the province of Asia;[b] it was scheduled to make several stops at ports along the coast of the province.
3The next day when we docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul and let him go ashore to visit with friends so they could provide for his needs. 4Putting out to sea from there, we encountered strong headwinds that made it difficult to keep the ship on course, so we sailed north of Cyprus between the island and the mainland. 5Keeping to the open sea, we passed along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, landing at Myra, in the province of Lycia. 6There the commanding officer found an Egyptian ship from Alexandria that was bound for Italy, and he put us on board.
7We had several days of slow sailing, and after great difficulty we finally neared Cnidus. But the wind was against us, so we sailed across to Crete and along the sheltered coast of the island, past the cape of Salmone. 8We struggled along the coast with great difficulty and finally arrived at Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. 9We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall,[c] and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it.
10“Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” 11But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. 12And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure.
The Storm at Sea
13When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. 14But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea. 15The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.
16We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda,[d] where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.
18The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.
21No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”
The Shipwreck
27About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria,[e] the sailors sensed land was near. 28They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep.[f] 29At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight.
30Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.
33Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34“Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat— 37all 276 of us who were on board. 38After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard.
39When morning dawned, they didn’t recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay with a beach and wondered if they could get to shore by running the ship aground. 40So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore. 41But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.
42The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. 43But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. 44The others held on to planks or debris from the broken ship.[g] So everyone escaped safely to shore.
Paul on the Island of Malta
28Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. 2The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.
3As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.
7Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
Paul Arrives at Rome
11It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods[h] as its figurehead. 12Our first stop was Syracuse,[i] where we stayed three days. 13From there we sailed across to Rhegium.[j] A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14There we found some believers,[k] who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.
15The brothers and sisters[l] in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum[m] on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns.[n] When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.
16When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.
Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard
17Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. 18The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. 19But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. 20I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”
21They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. 22But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”
23So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. 25And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,
26‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
27For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.’[o]
28So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”[p]
30For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense.[q] He welcomed all who visited him, 31boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
Footnotes
- 27:1 Greek centurion; similarly in 27:6, 11, 31, 43.
- 27:2 Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey.
- 27:9 Greek because the fast was now already gone by. This fast was associated with the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which occurred in late September or early October.
- 27:16 Some manuscripts read Clauda.
- 27:27 The Sea of Adria includes the central portion of the Mediterranean.
- 27:28 Greek 20 fathoms . . . 15 fathoms [37 meters . . . 27 meters].
- 27:44 Or or were helped by members of the ship’s crew.
- 28:11 The twin gods were the Roman gods Castor and Pollux.
- 28:12 Syracuse was on the island of Sicily.
- 28:13 Rhegium was on the southern tip of Italy.
- 28:14 Greek brothers.
- 28:15a Greek brothers.
- 28:15b The Forum was about 43 miles (70 kilometers) from Rome.
- 28:15c The Three Taverns was about 35 miles (57 kilometers) from Rome.
- 28:26-27 Isa 6:9-10 (Greek version).
- 28:28 Some manuscripts add verse 29, And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, greatly disagreeing with each other.
- 28:30 Or in his own rented quarters.
FAQs
Where should you start reading the Bible for beginners? ›
1. Start with a Gospel, an epistle, or Genesis. The Gospels: Tor any first-timer, one of the Gospels (which means “good news”): Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are the best place to start because they introduce you to the incarnate God, Jesus Christ.
How do you start a Bible reading plan? ›- Read the Bible every day for 15 minutes.
- Read the entire Bible in one year.
- Memorize one line of Scripture every week.
- Read the New Testament in one month.
The One Year Bible, which helps you read the entire Bible in one year in as little as 15 minutes a day, has a fresh, new look. The One Year Bible guides readers through God's Word with daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.
What reading level is NLT Bible? ›New Living Translation (NLT): 6th grade. God's Word (GW): 5th grade. The Message (MSG): 5th grade. New Century Version (NCV): 3rd grade.
What should I do first before reading the Bible? ›Before you open your bible, begin with a simple prayer asking God to take the wheel and direct your time in His word to reap the greatest blessing and for His glory. When you pray simply quiet your mind as much as you can and begin to notice the whispers and small voices you sense.
What is the SOAP method of Bible study? ›stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. It is a way of getting more out of your time in God's Word. The S.O.A.P method of Bible Study (for individuals or small groups) does not require a theology degree or special leadership skills.
What are good Bible reading plans? ›- Bible Gateway.
- HUM Audio Bible.
- Daily Audio Bible.
- Lectio 365.
- Lectio for Families.
- YouVersion Bible.
- At Home with the Word.
- The Jesus Storybook Bible video series.
- Begin your study with prayer.
- You don't have to start at the beginning.
- Choose a topic relevant to you.
- Get to know a character.
- Write down what you learn.
- Listen to the Bible online.
- Read or share with someone else.
- Look up what you don't understand.
The 5x5x5 plan means we read a designated chapter for 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week and use 5 ways to go deeper with that passage. The scripture passages are already chosen and you will receive a bookmark showing these each month to place in your bible (or keep somewhere handy if you read from a device).
Is the NLT Bible any good? ›There's a fine line between achieving word-for-word accuracy and authentic thought-for-thought contemporary meaning. The New Living Translation (NLT) of the Bible gives you a modern English translation that is accurate in meanings while keeping to the form and structure of the original scriptures.
Is the NLT Bible easy to read? ›
It is easier to read than the English Standard Version and New International Version. So was The Living Bible. But where that version sometimes sacrificed precision for readability, the NLT has been made more accurate, without making it too forbidding.
What version of the Bible is the NLT? ›The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, is an authoritative Bible translation, rendered faithfully into today's English from the ancient texts by 90 leading Bible scholars.
What religion uses NLT Bible? ›| New Living Translation | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Tyndale House Foundation |
| Copyright | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved. |
| Religious affiliation | Evangelical |
| Webpage | www.tyndale.com/nlt/ |
The Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) is an English translation of the Bible compiled by the World Bible Translation Center. It was originally published as the English Version for the Deaf (EVD) by BakerBooks.
Do Catholics read the NLT? ›The NLT has been granted the official Imprimatur of the Catholic Church. We have Catholic Bibles in text editions and in the popular Inspire line. The NLT Catholic Reader's Edition is approved by the Catholic Church for reading and study and includes the official Imprimatur.
How do you start and end a Bible reading? ›In our church, we usually say This is the Word of the Lord/ Thanks be to God. In a Communion service, it will be: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew/Mark/Luke/John, followed by Glory to You, O Lord. At the end of the reading, it is This is the Gospel of the Lord, then Praise to You, O Christ.
What happens when you read the Bible everyday? ›Reading the Bible on a regular and consistent basis has several benefits. First, the Bible shows us God's character and provides us God's revelation of himself to his people. In each section of the Bible, we see God's holy, unchanging, faithful, gracious and loving character.
What are the three methods of Bible study? ›- Scripture: Write the verse in your journal.
- Observation: Write down observations about the Scripture.
- Application: How can you apply what you observed in your life?
If it's an action, try to make it SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
What is a chronological Bible reading plan? ›Reading the Bible in chronological order means reading the events of the Bible in the order that they happened in history, rather than the order they are presented in the Bible text.
What is the most common Bible reading? ›
John 3:16 is the world's most popular Bible verse
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- Pick a time for your devotional reading. Make it a priority by calendaring it as you would any other important meeting. ...
- Pick a place for your devotional reading. ...
- Pick an accountability partner. ...
- Tell others. ...
- Don't skip a day. ...
- Reward yourself. ...
- Persist.
We consider a three-step approach to studying the Bible. The three steps are observation, elucidation, and application. Observation answers the question, “What does the text say?” Elucidation answers the question, “What does it mean?” Application answers the question, “What does it mean to me?”
What is the 4 1 Bible reading plan? ›The 4+1 plan is designed so that you will read in 4 different places in Scripture each day ( YouVersion will often list the chapters separately; so "John 2-3" would be presented as "John 2" and "John 3 ") + a reading from Psalms.
What are the 5 R for reading the Bible? ›- REFOCUS your heart and mind through confession and praise. ...
- READ a passage from the Scriptures. ...
- REFLECT and think about what you're reading. ...
- RECORD your discoveries in a small notebook. ...
- RESPOND to the Father in simple, practical obedience to what you've read.
This plan includes several passages about fasting and others that encourage reflection and closeness to God. For 21 days, you'll get a daily Bible reading, a brief devotional, reflection questions, and a prayer focus. This fast calls for drinking only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
Does NLT use Jehovah? ›The New World Translation also uses the name Jehovah 237 times in the New Testament where the extant texts use only the Greek words kyrios (Lord) and theos (God). The use of Jehovah in the New Testament is very rare, but not unique to the New World Translation.
Why do we use the NLT Bible? ›The NLT is clearer and speaks in today's vernacular. By saying, “I have all that I need,” the NLT clearly translates the intended meaning. This is just one of thousands of examples of how translating the meaning into today's language increases the accuracy of the translation.
Who wrote the NLT Bible? ›The NLT was created by a team of 90 top Hebrew and Greek scholars working with texts in the original languages. Tyndale's commitment is to make the Bible understandable and accessible to all readers.
What is the easiest Bible to read and understand for adults? ›The New International Reader's Version (NIrV)
The NIrV is based on a popular version of the Bible called the NIV. It uses easier words than the NIV. It also explains harder words. This makes it a good beginner Bible for adults who find reading hard.
How many books of the Bible are in NLT? ›
The Bible is a collection of 66 books. 39 Books in the Old Testament and 27 Books in The New Testament.
What is Matthew 11 vs 11 NLT? ›NLT 'I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
Who owns NLT translation? ›In July 1996, Tyndale House Publishers launched the New Living Translation (NLT), a revision of the Living Bible.
Which Bible is the most accurate translation of the original text? ›The New American Standard Bible is a literal translation from the original texts, well suited to study because of its accurate rendering of the source texts. It follows the style of the King James Version but uses modern English for words that have fallen out of use or changed their meanings.
What is the best translation of the Bible into English? ›- New International Version.
- English Standard Version.
- New Living Translation.
- King James Version.
- Christian Standard Bible.
Instead of trying to find the best translation, choose one that aligns with how you plan to use it. If you need a Study Bible, choose a translation that is good for study. If you would like to read devotionally, then choose a translation for devotional reading.
What version is the Jesus Bible? ›From the Passion movement, The Jesus Bible, NIV Edition, lifts Jesus up as the lead story of the Bible and encourages you to faithfully follow him as you participate in his story.
Is the King James Bible the most accurate? ›Published in 1611, the King James Bible spread quickly throughout Europe. Because of the wealth of resources devoted to the project, it was the most faithful and scholarly translation to date—not to mention the most accessible.
Which version of the Bible is closest to the original Hebrew? ›However, the Geneva Bible was the first English version in which all of the Old Testament was translated directly from the Hebrew (cf. Coverdale Bible, Matthew Bible).
What is the Catholic Bible called? ›The New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE) is a Bible translation approved for use by the Catholic Church, receiving the imprimatur of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1991.
Do Catholics use King James Bible? ›
Designed for private devotional use by Catholics, all 80 books of the original 1611 edition are included. The 14 books not found in many later editions of the KJV have been included in the order Catholics expect within the 46 (not 39!) books of the Old Testament.
What book of the Bible to read when struggling? ›Read the Book of Esther.
If you're feeling helpless, re-read the story of Esther. She was trapped in a situation that was out of her control – and yet God used that exact position to save many people and accomplish His will.
It has been suggested that this "thought-for-thought" methodology, while making the translation easier to understand, is less accurate than a literal (formal equivalence) method, and thus the New Living Translation may not be suitable for those wishing to undertake detailed study of the Bible.
What is the most widely read version of the Bible? ›...
In 2022, the top five best-selling translations were the following:
- New International Version.
- English Standard Version.
- New Living Translation.
- King James Version.
- Christian Standard Bible.
One of these is Matthew 11: 28, where Jesus Christ states that he will “give you rest” if you are “lowly in heart.” You can also see Isaiah 43:2, where even when you “pass through the waters”, you will not be alone. God will not leave you nor forsake you, and cares that you are alone.
Where to start reading the Bible for anxiety? ›Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
- Psalm 34:17-18. “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. ...
- Isaiah 40:29-31. “He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless. ...
- Matthew 11:28-30. ...
- John 16:33. ...
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.
The Gospel of John is perhaps the most difficult of the Gospels to understand, not because John is more complex than the others—Luke is perhaps the most technically difficult of the Gospels—but because it is so different from the other Gospels.
Which of the four Gospels is most accurate? ›Scholars since the 19th century have regarded Mark as the first of the gospels (called the theory of Markan priority). Markan priority led to the belief that Mark must be the most reliable of the gospels, but today there is a large consensus that the author of Mark was not intending to write history.
What do you say before reading the Gospel? ›The Signs of the Cross
First, the faithful could pray the prayer that the priest prays or the deacon is blessed with prior to proclaiming the Gospel. “May the Lord be in our minds, on our lips and in our hearts as the words of the holy gospel are proclaimed to us.”
How many days a week should I read my Bible? ›
The more Christians read or listen to the Scriptures at least four times a week, the more bold they will be in sharing their faith and growing in their faith. Their lives will begin to have a profound impact on those immediately around them.
What is the best way to read the Bible everyday? ›- Put your phone away!
- Get a new Bible.
- Use helpful tools.
- Schedule it.
- Read in the same place every day.
- Remove distractions.
- Start small.
- Join/complete a Bible study.
Scripture increases all our holy capacities for the glory of Jesus. Without the nourishment of Scripture, we easily lose steam. We become spiritually winded and require more rest, more time away from the active pursuit of Jesus' earthly work. We will be slow and plodding, lacking energy and will.