Acts 20:16-38

New King James Version

¹⁶ For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for ^(A)he was hurrying ^(B)to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on ^(C)the Day of Pentecost.

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

¹⁷ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, ^(D)from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me ^(E)by the plotting of the Jews; ²⁰ how ^(F)I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, ^21 (G)testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, ^(H)repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ²² And see, now ^(I)I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, ²³ except that ^(J)the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. ^24 [a]But ^(K)none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, ^(L)so that I may finish my ^[b]race with joy, ^(M)and the ministry ^(N)which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

²⁵ “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am ^(O)innocent^[c] of the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I have not ^[d]shunned to declare to you ^(P)the whole counsel of God. ^28 (Q)Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit ^(R)has made you overseers, to shepherd the church ^[e]of God ^(S)which He purchased ^(T)with His own blood. ²⁹ For I know this, that after my departure ^(U)savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Also ^(V)from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking ^[f]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. ³¹ Therefore watch, and remember that ^(W)for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

³² “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and ^(X)to the word of His grace, which is able ^(Y)to build you up and give you ^(Z)an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ^34 [g]Yes, you yourselves know ^(AA)that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. ³⁵ I have shown you in every way, ^(AB)by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

³⁶ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. ³⁷ Then they all ^(AC)wept ^[h]freely, and ^(AD)fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, ³⁸ sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.