15. The wind struck the ship, and we could not sail against it. So we let the wind carry the ship.
16. We went along the island of Cauda on the side that was protected from the wind. We had a hard time holding the lifeboat in place,
17. but finally we got it where it belonged. Then the sailors tied ropes around the ship to hold it together. They lowered the sail and let the ship drift along, because they were afraid it might hit the sandbanks in the gulf of Syrtis.
18. The storm was so fierce that the next day they threw some of the ship's cargo overboard.
19. Then on the third day, with their bare hands they threw overboard some of the ship's gear.
20. For several days we could not see either the sun or the stars. A strong wind kept blowing, and we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
21. Since none of us had eaten anything for a long time, Paul stood up and told the men:You should have listened to me! If you had stayed on in Crete, you would not have had this damage and loss.
22. But now I beg you to cheer up, because you will be safe. Only the ship will be lost.
23. I belong to God, and I worship him. Last night he sent an angel
24. to tell me, “Paul, don't be afraid! You will stand trial before the Emperor. And because of you, God will save the lives of everyone on the ship.”
25. Cheer up! I am sure that God will do exactly what he promised.
26. But we will first be shipwrecked on some island.
27. For fourteen days and nights we had been blown around over the Mediterranean Sea. But about midnight the sailors realized that we were getting near land.
28. They measured and found that the water was about forty metres deep. A little later they measured again and found it was only about thirty metres.