Acts 20:17-38

Modern English Version

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

¹⁷ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. ¹⁸ When they came to him, he said to them, “You know how I always lived among you from the first day that I came to Asia, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility and with many tears and trials which befell me through the plots of the Jews. ²⁰ I did not keep from declaring what was beneficial to you, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, ²¹ testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

²² “Now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what shall befall me there, ²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. ²⁴ But none of these things deter me. Nor do I count my life of value to myself, so that I may joyfully finish my course and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

²⁵ “Now I know that all you, among whom I went proclaiming the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I did not keep from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. ²⁸ Therefore take heed to yourselves and to the entire flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. ²⁹ For I know that after my departure, dreadful wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Even from among you men will arise speaking perverse things, to draw the disciples away after them. ³¹ Therefore watch, remembering that for three years night and day I did not cease to warn everyone with tears.

³² “Now, brothers, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. ³³ I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. ³⁴ Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities and for those who were with me. ³⁵ In all things I have shown you how, working like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

³⁶ Having said these things, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. ³⁷ They all wept much and embraced Paul’s neck and kissed him, ³⁸ grieving most over the words he spoke, that they were to see his face no more. Then they escorted him to the ship.