14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 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.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 20:24 NU But I do not count my life of any value or dear to myself
  2. Acts 20:24 course

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)

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