Acts 20:17-38
New King James Version
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, (A)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 (B)by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how (C)I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 (D)testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, (E)repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now (F)I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that (G)the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 [a]But (H)none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, (I)so that I may finish my [b]race with joy, (J)and the ministry (K)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 (L)innocent[c] of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not [d]shunned to declare to you (M)the whole counsel of God. 28 (N)Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit (O)has made you overseers, to shepherd the church [e]of God (P)which He purchased (Q)with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure (R)savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also (S)from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking [f]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that (T)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 (U)to the word of His grace, which is able (V)to build you up and give you (W)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 (X)that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, (Y)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 (Z)wept [h]freely, and (AA)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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 20:24 NU But I do not count my life of any value or dear to myself
- Acts 20:24 course
- Acts 20:26 Lit. clean
- Acts 20:27 avoided declaring
- Acts 20:28 M of the Lord and God
- Acts 20:30 misleading
- Acts 20:34 NU, M omit Yes
- Acts 20:37 Lit. much
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.