Acts 20:31-38
English Standard Version
31 Therefore (A)be alert, remembering that (B)for three years I did not cease night or day (C)to admonish every one (D)with tears. 32 And now (E)I commend you to God and to (F)the word of his grace, which is able to (G)build you up and to give you (H)the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 (I)I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 (J)You yourselves know that (K)these hands ministered to my necessities and (L)to those who were with me. 35 In all things (M)I have shown you that (N)by working hard in this way we must (O)help the weak and (P)remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed (Q)to give than to receive.’”
36 And when he had said these things, (R)he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And (S)there was much weeping on the part of all; (T)they embraced Paul and (U)kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of (V)the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And (W)they accompanied him to the ship.
Read full chapter
Acts 20:31-38
King James Version
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.
Read full chapter
Acts 20:31-38
The Message
29-31 “I know that as soon as I’m gone, vicious wolves are going to show up and rip into this flock, men from your very own ranks twisting words so as to seduce disciples into following them instead of Jesus. So stay awake and keep up your guard. Remember those three years I kept at it with you, never letting up, pouring my heart out with you, one after another.
32 “Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.
33-35 “I’ve never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’”
36-38 Then Paul went down on his knees, all of them kneeling with him, and prayed. And then a river of tears. Much clinging to Paul, not wanting to let him go. They knew they would never see him again—he had told them quite plainly. The pain cut deep. Then, bravely, they walked him down to the ship.
Read full chapterThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson