Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.(A) 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus(B) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,(C) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,(D) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.(E)

17 From Miletus,(F) Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders(G) of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,(H) from the first day I came into the province of Asia.(I) 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears(J) and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.(K) 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything(L) that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews(M) and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance(N) and have faith in our Lord Jesus.(O)

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem,(P) not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me(Q) that prison and hardships are facing me.(R) 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;(S) my only aim is to finish the race(T) and complete the task(U) the Lord Jesus has given me(V)—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.(W)

25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom(X) will ever see me again.(Y) 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.(Z) 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.(AA) 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock(AB) of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.(AC) Be shepherds of the church of God,[a](AD) which he bought(AE) with his own blood.[b](AF) 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves(AG) will come in among you and will not spare the flock.(AH) 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples(AI) after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years(AJ) I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.(AK)

32 “Now I commit you to God(AL) and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance(AM) among all those who are sanctified.(AN) 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.(AO) 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.(AP) 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.(AQ) 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.(AR) 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again.(AS) Then they accompanied him to the ship.(AT)

On to Jerusalem

21 After we(AU) had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia,(AV) went on board and set sail. After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria.(AW) We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples(AX) there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit(AY) they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.(AZ) After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

We continued our voyage from Tyre(BA) and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters(BB) and stayed with them for a day. Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea(BC) and stayed at the house of Philip(BD) the evangelist,(BE) one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.(BF)

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus(BG) came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says,(BH) ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind(BI) the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”(BJ)

12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die(BK) in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”(BL) 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up(BM) and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”(BN)

15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.(BO) 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea(BP) accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus(BQ) and one of the early disciples.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters(BR) received us warmly.(BS) 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(BT) and all the elders(BU) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(BV) through his ministry.(BW)

20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous(BX) for the law.(BY) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(BZ) telling them not to circumcise their children(CA) or live according to our customs.(CB) 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.(CC) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(CD) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(CE) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”(CF)

26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.(CG)

Paul Arrested

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,(CH) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”(CI) 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus(CJ) the Ephesian(CK) in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,(CL) they dragged him(CM) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.(CN)

33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound(CO) with two(CP) chains.(CQ) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,(CR) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(CS) 35 When Paul reached the steps,(CT) the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”(CU)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 20:28 Many manuscripts of the Lord
  2. Acts 20:28 Or with the blood of his own Son

13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

21 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.