1. When they had escaped, they learned that the island was called Malta.
2. The natives showed extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because of the rain and the cold.
3. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper driven out by the heat fastened on his hand.
4. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, justice does not allow him to live.”
5. But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6. They expected him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But while they waited and saw no harm befall him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7. In that area was an estate of the chief man of the island, named Publius, who had welcomed us and courteously housed us for three days.