1. When we came ashore, we learnt that the island was called Malta.
2. The local people were very friendly, and they welcomed us by building a fire, because it was rainy and cold.
3. After Paul had gathered some wood and had put it on the fire, the heat caused a snake to crawl out, and it bit him on the hand.
4. When the local people saw the snake hanging from Paul's hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He didn't drown in the sea, but the goddess of justice will kill him anyway.”
5. Paul shook the snake off into the fire and wasn't harmed.
6. The people kept thinking that Paul would either swell up or suddenly drop dead. They watched him for a long time, and when nothing happened to him, they changed their minds and said, “This man is a god.”
7. The governor of the island was named Publius, and he owned some of the land around there. Publius was very friendly and welcomed us into his home for three days.
8. His father was in bed, sick with fever and stomach trouble, and Paul went to visit him. Paul healed the man by praying and placing his hands on him.
9. After this happened, everyone on the island brought their sick people to Paul, and they were all healed.