Continued

There will be no loss of life but only loss of the ship.  For tonight an angel of the God whom I serve stood by saying "Do not be afraid Paul, it is fitting for you to stand before Caesar.   God will save all those who are sailing with you."  Therefore be of good heart men.  I believe things will work out in the way that God has told me. It will happen that we will run onto some island."   Now when the fourteenth night arrived while we

were being carried about in the Adria (sea), about the middle of the night the sailors supposed some country was on the horizon.  Having sounded (the depths) they found they were twenty fathoms from the bottom.  (Then) having moved again they found the bottom to be fifteen fathoms down.  They were afraid lest somewhere we might run into a rough patch (of rocks) so they threw four anchors out of the stern and prayed for day to come.

 

4.         Law enforcer heeds

Kingdom figure's warning

27:30-:41

Paul warns sailors are about to desert

 

28:30-41  Then the sailors sought to flee from the ship and they lowered the boat (small boat?) into the sea under the pretence of throwing the anchors out of the bow (front of) the ship. Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers.  "Unless these (sailors) remain in the ship you cannot be saved."  So then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the (small) boat and let it fall off (the ship).

 

As day was about to come Paul urged everyone to eat saying "You have continued until today, the fourteenth day without food. I beg you to eat for this will be the saving of you., for not a hair from your head will be damaged."  And so saying these things and taking some bread he gave thanks to God before all and

breaking it  began to eat.Everyone picked up in spirits as they also ate.  Now in the ship, all of us numbered two hundred and seventy-six people.  Having eaten they lightened the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea. (Then) when day came they (saw) land which they did not recognise.  But they noticed that a certain bay had a shore and they decided to try and steer the ship there.  Having (already) cast off the anchors they left them in the sea.  At the same time they loosened the fastenings of the rudders and raising the foresail to the breeze, they held the ship (under control) till they reached the shore.  (Then) coming upon a spur between two bodies of water  the vessel  ran aground and couldn't move any further.  Then the stern broke up with the force (of waves). 

 

5.         Law enforcer saves

Kingdom figure

27:42-28:10

Centurion forbids the killing of prisoners

 

27:42-28:10    Now the soldiers had a mind to kill the prisoners in case anyone swam out and escaped. But the centurion wanted to save Paul and forbade them to do this.  (Then) he  ordered that those who could swim were to jump overboard first and get out onto the land.  The rest were to follow,

some on planks and others floating on some of the things from the ship.  And so it happened that everyone was saved and reached the land.  Having been saved we then found out that the island was called Malta.  The foreigners showed us extra kindness.  Having lit a fire they welcomed all of us because of the rain coming on and

                                                Continued