1 When they had escaped, they learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The natives showed extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because of the rain and the cold.
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper driven out by the heat fastened on his hand.
4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, justice does not allow him to live.”
5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 They expected him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But while they waited and saw no harm befall him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.