Book of Common Prayer

¹⁸ Little children, it is the last time. And as you have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now there are many Antichrists come already. By this we know that it is the last time. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us. But this happened so that it might appear that they were not of us.

²⁰ And you have an anointing of the Holy Spirit, and you know all things. ²¹ I did not write to you as though you did not know the truth, but as knowing it, and as knowing also that no lie comes of truth. ²² Who is a liar, but he who denies that Jesus is Christ? He is the Antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ Whoever denies the Son, the same does not have the Father.

²⁴ Let therefore abide in you that which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will continue in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵ And the promise that he has promised us is eternal life.

¹⁷ And so from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the congregation.

¹⁸ And when they had come to him, he said to them, You know how, from the first day that I came to Asia, I have been with you at all seasons, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humbleness of mind, and with many tears and trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; ²⁰ and how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but have shown you and taught you openly and at home in your houses, ²¹ witnessing both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.

²² And now behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will come on me there, ²³ but that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and trouble await me. ²⁴ But none of those things move me. I do not count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

²⁵ And now behold, I am sure that henceforth you all (among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God) shall see my face no more. ²⁶ And so I call you as witnesses this same day, that I am clear of the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I have kept nothing back, but have spoken to you all the counsel of God. ²⁸ Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock whereof the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he has purchased with his blood. ²⁹ For I am sure of this, that after my departing, grievous wolves will enter in among you, who will not spare the flock. ³⁰ Moreover, from among your own selves men will rise up speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore awake, and remember that for the space of three years I did not cease to warn every one of you, both night and day, with tears.

³² And now, brethren, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I have desired no man’s silver, gold, or clothing. ³⁴ You know well that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me. ³⁵ I have shown you in every way how, by so labouring, you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said it is more blessed to give than to receive.