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.

Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem

21 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. ² And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. ³ When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. ⁴ And finding ^[a]disciples, we stayed there seven days. ^(A)They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. ⁵ When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And ^(B)we knelt down on the shore and prayed. ⁶ When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned ^(C)home.

⁷ And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. ⁸ On the next day we ^[b]who were Paul’s companions departed and came to ^(D)Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip ^(E)the evangelist, ^(F)who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. ⁹ Now this man had four virgin daughters ^(G)who prophesied. ¹⁰ And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named ^(H)Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ^(I)‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”

¹² Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, ^(J)“What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

¹⁴ So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ^(K)“The will of the Lord be done.”

Paul Urged to Make Peace

¹⁵ And after those days we ^[c]packed and went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.