Book of Common Prayer

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.

³⁶ When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. ³⁷ And they all wept abundantly, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, ³⁸ sorrowing most of all for the words that he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Christ preaches in the boat. The disciples leave everything and follow him. He cleanses the leper, heals the paralytic, calls Matthew, the customs officer, and eats with open sinners.

5 It came to pass, as the people pressed in upon him to hear the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret ² and saw two boats standing by the lake side. But the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their nets. ³ And he entered into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people out of the boat.

⁴ When he had left speaking, he said to Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let slip your nets to make a catch. ⁵ And Simon answered and said to him, Master, we have laboured all night and have caught nothing. But at your word, I will loose forth the net.

⁶ And when they had so done, they netted a great multitude of fishes. And their net was tearing, ⁷ but they made signs to their fellow fishermen who were in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they were sinking back.

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Lord, go from me, for I am a sinful man. ⁹ For he was utterly astonished, as was everyone with him, at the haul of fish that they took; ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; from henceforth you shall catch men.

¹¹ And they brought the boats to land, and left everything, and followed him.