The Storm at Sea

Acts 27

13 and a south wind blowing softly, having thought they had obtained [their] purpose, having lifted anchor, they sailed close by Crete, 14 and not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, that is called Euroclydon, 15 and the ship being caught, and not being able to bear up against the wind, having given [her] up, we were borne on, 16 and having run under a certain little isle, called Clauda, we were hardly able to become masters of the boat, 17 which having taken up, they were using helps, undergirding the ship, and fearing lest they may fall on the quicksand, having let down the mast -- so were borne on. 18 And we, being exceedingly tempest-tossed, the succeeding [day] they were making a clearing, 19 and on the third [day] with our own hands the tackling of the ship we cast out, 20 and neither sun nor stars appearing for more days, and not a little tempest lying upon us, thenceforth all hope was taken away of our being saved.

21 And there having been long fasting, then Paul having stood in the midst of them, said, `It behoved [you], indeed, O men -- having hearkened to me -- not to set sail from Crete, and to save this hurt and damage; 22 and now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of life among you -- but of the ship; 23 for there stood by me this night a messenger of God -- whose I am, and whom I serve -- 24 saying, Be not afraid Paul; before Caesar it behoveth thee to stand; and, lo, God hath granted to thee all those sailing with thee; 25 wherefore be of good cheer, men! for I believe God, that so it shall be, even as it hath been spoken to me, 26 and on a certain island it behoveth us to be cast.'

27 And when the fourteenth night came -- we being borne up and down in the Adria -- toward the middle of the night the sailors were supposing that some country drew nigh to them; 28 and having sounded they found twenty fathoms, and having gone a little farther, and again having sounded, they found fifteen fathoms, 29 and fearing lest on rough places we may fall, out of the stern having cast four anchors, they were wishing day to come. 30 And the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat to the sea, in pretence as [if] out of the foreship they are about to cast anchors, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, `If these do not remain in the ship -- ye are not able to be saved;' 32 then the soldiers did cut off the ropes of the boat, and suffered it to fall off.

33 And till the day was about to be, Paul was calling upon all to partake of nourishment, saying, `Fourteen days to-day, waiting, ye continue fasting, having taken nothing, 34 wherefore I call upon you to take nourishment, for this is for your safety, for of not one of you shall a hair from the head fall;' 35 and having said these things, and having taken bread, he gave thanks to God before all, and having broken [it], he began to eat; 36 and all having become of good cheer, themselves also took food, 37 (and we were -- all the souls in the ship -- two hundred, seventy and six), 38 and having eaten sufficient nourishment, they were lightening the ship, casting forth the wheat into the sea.

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