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20 ¶ Y después que cesó el alboroto, llamando Pablo a los discípulos, habiéndoles exhortado y abrazado, se despidió, y salió para ir a Macedonia.

Y después que hubo andado aquellas partes, y de exhortarles con abundancia de palabra, vino a Grecia.

Y después de haber estado allí tres meses, y habiendo de navegar a Siria, le fueron puestas asechanzas por los judíos; y así tomó consejo de volverse por Macedonia.

Y le acompañaron hasta Asia, Sópater de Pirro, bereense, y los tesalonicenses, Aristarco y Segundo; y Gayo de Derbe, y Timoteo; y de Asia, Tíquico y Trófimo.

Estos yendo delante, nos esperaron en Troas.

Y nosotros, pasados los días de los panes sin levadura, navegamos de Filipos y vinimos a ellos a Troas en cinco días, donde estuvimos siete días.

¶ Y el primero de los sábados, juntos los discípulos a partir el pan, Pablo les enseñaba, habiendo de partir al día siguiente; y continuó la palabra hasta la medianoche.

Y había muchas lámparas en el aposento alto donde estaban juntos.

Y un joven llamado Eutico que estaba sentado en una ventana, tomado de un sueño profundo, como Pablo predicaba largamente, postrado del sueño cayó del tercer piso abajo, y fue alzado muerto.

10 Entonces descendió Pablo, y se derribó sobre él, y abrazándole, dijo: No os alborotéis, que aún su alma está en él.

11 Después subiendo, y partiendo el pan, y gustando, habló largamente hasta el alba, y así salió.

12 Y llevaron al joven vivo, y fueron consolados no poco.

13 ¶ Y nosotros subiendo en el navío, navegamos a Asón, para recibir de allí a Pablo; pues así había determinado que debía él ir por tierra.

14 Cuando se juntó con nosotros en Asón, tomándole vinimos a Mitilene.

15 Y navegamos de allí, al día siguiente llegamos delante de Quío, y al otro día tomamos puerto en Samos; y habiendo reposado en Trogilio, al día siguiente llegamos a Mileto.

16 Porque Pablo se había propuesto pasar adelante de Efeso, por no detenerse en Asia, porque se apresuraba por hacer el día de Pentecostés, si le fuera posible, en Jerusalén.

17 ¶ Y enviando desde Mileto a Efeso, hizo llamar a los ancianos de la Iglesia.

18 Y cuando vinieron a él, les dijo: Vosotros sabéis cómo, desde el primer día que entré en Asia, he estado con vosotros por todo el tiempo,

19 sirviendo al Señor con toda humildad, y con muchas lágrimas, y tentaciones que me han venido por las asechanzas de los judíos;

20 como nada que fuera útil he rehuido de anunciaros y enseñaros, públicamente y por las casas,

21 testificando a los judíos y a los gentiles el arrepentimiento hacia Dios, y la fe en nuestro Señor Jesús, el Cristo.

22 Y ahora, he aquí, que yo atado del Espíritu, voy a Jerusalén, sin saber lo que allá me ha de acontecer;

23 mas que el Espíritu Santo por todas las ciudades me da testimonio, diciendo que prisiones y tribulaciones me esperan.

24 Mas de ninguna cosa hago caso, ni estimo mi vida preciosa para mí mismo; solamente que acabe mi carrera con gozo, y el ministerio que recibí del Señor Jesús, para dar testimonio del Evangelio de la gracia de Dios.

25 Y ahora, he aquí, yo sé que ninguno de todos vosotros, por quienes he pasado predicando el Reino de Dios, verá más mi rostro.

26 Por tanto, yo os protesto el día de hoy, que yo soy limpio de la sangre de todos;

27 porque no he rehuido de anunciaros todo el consejo de Dios.

28 Por tanto mirad por vosotros y por todo el rebaño en que el Espíritu Santo os ha puesto por obispos, para apacentar la Iglesia de Dios, la cual ganó por su sangre.

29 Porque yo sé que después de mi partida entrarán en medio de vosotros lobos rapaces, que no perdonarán al rebaño;

30 y de vosotros mismos se levantarán hombres que hablen cosas perversas, para llevar discípulos tras sí.

31 Por tanto, velad, acordándoos que por tres años de noche y de día, no he cesado de amonestar con lágrimas a cada uno de vosotros.

32 Y ahora también, hermanos, os encomiendo a Dios, y a la Palabra de su gracia, el cual es poderoso para sobreedificar, y daros heredad con todos los santificados.

33 La plata, o el oro, o el vestido de nadie he codiciado.

34 Antes vosotros sabéis que para lo que me ha sido necesario, y a los que están conmigo, estas manos me han servido.

35 En todo os he enseñado que, trabajando así, es necesario sobrellevar a los enfermos, y tener presente las palabras del Señor Jesús, el cual dijo: Más bienaventurada cosa es dar que recibir.

36 ¶ Cuando hubo dicho estas cosas, se puso de rodillas, y oró con todos ellos.

37 Entonces hubo gran lloro de todos; y echándose en el cuello de Pablo, le besaban,

38 doliéndose en gran manera por la palabra que dijo, que no habían de ver más su rostro. Y le acompañaron al navío.

Chapter 20

Journey to Macedonia and Greece.[a] When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he embraced them and set out on his journey to Macedonia.[b] As he traveled through those areas, he gave the believers much encouragement. Then he arrived in Greece, where he stayed for three months.

Return to Troas. He was about to set sail for Syria when a plot against him was devised by the Jews, and so he decided to return by way of Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Beroea, by Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, by Gaius from Derbe, and by Timothy, as well as by Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.[c] They went ahead and were waiting for us in Troas.[d] We sailed from Philippi after the feast of Unleavened Bread, and five days later we joined them in Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

Paul’s Witness and Testament[e]

Paul Raises Eutychus to Life. On the first day of the week, when we gathered for the breaking of the bread, Paul spoke to the people, and because he was going to leave on the next day, he continued speaking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were assembled, and a young man named Eutychus, who was sitting on the window ledge, became ever more drowsy as Paul talked on and on. Finally, overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below, and when they picked him up, he was dead.

10 Paul went down, threw himself upon him, and took him in his arms. “Do not be alarmed,” he said. “He is still alive.”[f] 11 Then he went back upstairs and broke bread and ate. He went on to converse with them until dawn, at which time he left. 12 Meanwhile, they had taken the boy home, greatly relieved that he was alive.

13 Journey to Miletus. We went on ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, where we were to take Paul aboard, since he intended to continue his journey by land. 14 When he met us in Assos, we took him aboard and went to Mitylene.

15 We sailed from there, and on the following day we reached a point opposite Chios. A day later, we reached Samos; and the day after that, we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus in order to avoid spending time in the province of Asia. He was eager to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

17 Paul’s Farewell Speech at Miletus.[g] From Miletus, he sent a message to Ephesus, summoning the elders of the Church. 18 When they came to him, he addressed them as follows:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with all humility and with tears, enduring the trials that befell me as a result of the intrigues of the Jews. 20 I did not hesitate to tell you what was for your benefit as I proclaimed the word to you and taught you publicly as well as from house to house. 21 I have attested to Jews and Gentiles alike about repentance before God and faith in our Lord Jesus.

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem without knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that I will face imprisonment and hardships. 24 As for me, I do not regard my life as of any value, only that I finish the race and complete the mission that I received from the Lord Jesus—to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.

25 “I have gone among you proclaiming the kingdom, but now I realize that none of you will ever see my face again. 26 Therefore, I solemnly declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, and be shepherds of the Church of God that he purchased with the price of his own blood.

29 “I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own ranks men will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. 31 Therefore, be on your guard. Remember that for three years I never ceased night and day to warn every one of you with tears.

32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace that is able to build you up and give you your inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33 I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You are aware that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. 35 In all this, I have shown you that by such hard work we must help the weak, keeping in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”[h]

36 When he had finished speaking, he knelt down and prayed with them. 37 They were all weeping loudly as they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 for they were deeply distressed at his words that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 20:1 This departure constitutes an important moment as indicated by the fact that Luke inserts a list of Paul’s companions. Then he describes three brief journeys: one to Greece, to revisit the communities, especially that of Corinth, which had caused some trouble; the second to Troas; and the third to Miletus, on the return route to Jerusalem.
    In connection with these journeys we discover new aspects of the life of the communities. The Eucharist, which had been mentioned at the beginning of Acts (2:46), is clearly referred to here: Christians came together on Sunday (“the first day of the week”) in order to “break bread,” after a lengthy hearing of the Gospel and a communal reflection on it. The raising of the boy is a sign of the presence of the Lord; through his Resurrection, life is possible in its fullness.
  2. Acts 20:1 Paul had apparently been seeking to preach in Troas on his way to Macedonia, meet Titus at Troas with a report from Corinth (see 2 Cor 2:12f), and continue collecting the offering for Judea (see Rom 15:25-28; 1 Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8:1—9:15).
  3. Acts 20:4 These men have no doubt been assigned to accompany Paul and the collection for the needy in Judea (see 2 Cor 8:23).
  4. Acts 20:5 Here begins the second so-called “we-section” of Acts (see note on Acts 16:9-15).
  5. Acts 20:7 In this chapter, it is no longer a case of proclaiming the word or creating a Church; it is a moment of respite and retreat that clears up Paul’s personal destiny and expresses the principal concerns for the development and perseverance of a Church. Paul is aware that he will never return (see Acts 21:14), and he envisages undergoing the same suffering as Christ. The Book of Acts will not recount his martyrdom, no more than it will enlighten us about Peter’s martyrdom, for this Book is not intended to be a biography of the apostles. Its purpose is to make known the life of the Churches and the power of the Spirit who animates them, the great realities that ensure their development, their relationships and their unity. The communities are to find themselves devoted to one another, but with the Spirit (v. 28) and the living tradition that carries them along. The atmosphere recalls Christ’s discourse after the Last Supper (Jn 14–16). Paul gives his testament.
  6. Acts 20:10 Paul’s action of throwing himself upon a boy thought to be dead recalls that of Elijah in raising the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Ki 17:21) and that of Elisha in raising the son of the Shunammite (2 Ki 4:34). Thus, as Peter had raised Tabitha (Acts 9:40), so now Paul raises Eutychus.
  7. Acts 20:17 This farewell scene is especially important for the history of the Church as an institution. Those whom Paul summons are the “elders” (in Greek: presbyteroi, whence our “priests”), whom he describes (v. 28) as “shepherds” and “overseers” (Greek: episkopoi, whence our “bishops”; see 1 Pet 2:25), i.e., as responsible for the spiritual nourishment, guidance, and protection of the People of God. This authority they receive not from the assembly of the faithful but from the Spirit.
    Here, in substance, is the ecclesial structure in which we live today (although only later would a distinction be made between “presbyters” and “bishops”).
  8. Acts 20:35 It is more blessed to give than to receive: a saying of Jesus that is not found in the canonical Gospels.

Through Macedonia and Greece

20 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples(A) and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.(B) He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him(C) just as he was about to sail for Syria,(D) he decided to go back through Macedonia.(E) He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus(F) and Secundus from Thessalonica,(G) Gaius(H) from Derbe, Timothy(I) also, and Tychicus(J) and Trophimus(K) from the province of Asia.(L) These men went on ahead and waited for us(M) at Troas.(N) But we sailed from Philippi(O) after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas,(P) where we stayed seven days.

Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas

On the first day of the week(Q) we came together to break bread.(R) Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room(S) where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man(T) and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”(U) 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread(V) and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 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.(W) 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus(X) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,(Y) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,(Z) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.(AA)

17 From Miletus,(AB) Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders(AC) of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,(AD) from the first day I came into the province of Asia.(AE) 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears(AF) and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.(AG) 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything(AH) that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews(AI) and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance(AJ) and have faith in our Lord Jesus.(AK)

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem,(AL) not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me(AM) that prison and hardships are facing me.(AN) 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;(AO) my only aim is to finish the race(AP) and complete the task(AQ) the Lord Jesus has given me(AR)—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.(AS)

25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom(AT) will ever see me again.(AU) 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.(AV) 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.(AW) 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock(AX) of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.(AY) Be shepherds of the church of God,[a](AZ) which he bought(BA) with his own blood.[b](BB) 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves(BC) will come in among you and will not spare the flock.(BD) 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples(BE) after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years(BF) I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.(BG)

32 “Now I commit you to God(BH) and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance(BI) among all those who are sanctified.(BJ) 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.(BK) 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.(BL) 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.(BM) 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.(BN) 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again.(BO) Then they accompanied him to the ship.(BP)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 20:28 Many manuscripts of the Lord
  2. Acts 20:28 Or with the blood of his own Son