Paul's Shipwreck

Paul was sent by ship toward Italy with other prisoners under a centurion named Julius. Aristarchus travelled with them. At Sidon, Julius kindly let Paul visit his friends and be cared for. They changed ships at Myra and kept sailing, but the winds were against them, so the journey became slow and difficult as they reached Crete.

At Fair Havens, Paul warned that the voyage would bring damage, loss, and danger to their lives. But the centurion listened more to the ship's master and owner. Since the harbour did not seem suitable for winter, most people decided to sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and stay there.

At first a gentle south wind seemed favourable, but soon a violent storm struck. The ship was driven along, and the men worked hard to secure the boat and strengthen the ship. They threw cargo and equipment overboard. For many days no sun or stars appeared, and the storm continued until all hope of being saved was gone.

Then Paul stood among them. He said they should have listened before, but now he urged them to take heart. An angel from the God Paul belonged to and served had told him that Paul must stand before Caesar, and that everyone sailing with him would be spared, though the ship would be lost. Later, when the sailors tried to escape in the boat, Paul warned that they needed to remain on the ship, so the soldiers cut the boat away.

As daylight came, Paul urged everyone to eat. He took bread, thanked God in front of them all, and began to eat, and the others ate too. There were 276 people on the ship. After that they threw the wheat into the sea and tried to reach a beach, but the ship ran aground and began to break apart.

The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners, but the centurion stopped them because he wanted to save Paul. Some swam, and others floated on planks or pieces of the ship, and every one of them reached land safely.