Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Paul Exhorts Elders From Ephesus: You Know How I Served The Lord Among You

¹⁷ But having sent from Miletus^[a] to Ephesus, he summoned the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day from which I set-foot in Asia, how I was^[b] with you the whole time— ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humblemindedness and tears and trials (the ones having happened to me by the plots of the Jews); ²⁰ how^[c] I in no way drew-back from the things being profitable^[d] so as not to declare them to you and teach you in public and from house-to-house, ²¹ while solemnly-testifying both to Jews and to Greeks as to the repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. ²² And now, behold— having been bound in my spirit^[e], I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will meet^[f] me in it, ²³ except that the Holy Spirit is solemnly-warning me in each city, saying that imprisonment and afflictions are awaiting me. ²⁴ But I am making my life of no account^[g] as to value to myself so-as to finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus— to solemnly-testify to the good-news about the grace of God.

Take Heed To Yourselves And To Shepherd The Flock. For Wolves Are Coming

²⁵ “And now, behold— I know that you all, among whom I went-about proclaiming the kingdom, will no longer see^[h] my face. ²⁶ Therefore, I am bearing-witness to you on this very day that I am clean of the blood of everyone. ²⁷ For I did not draw back so as not to declare the whole purpose^[i] of God to you. ²⁸ Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit placed^[j] you as overseers— to shepherd the church of God which He obtained with His own^[k] blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ And men will rise-up from you yourselves, speaking things having been perverted, that they might be drawing-away the disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore keep-watching, remembering that night and day for three years I did not cease admonishing each one of you with tears. ³² And as to the things now, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace being able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all the ones having been sanctified.

I Did Not Serve You For Money

³³ “I coveted the silver or gold or clothing of no one. ³⁴ You know that these hands served my own needs, and the people being with me. ³⁵ In all respects, I showed you that laboring in this manner, it-is-necessary^[l] to help the ones being weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus— that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to be giving than to be receiving’”.

Paul Departs Amid Prayer And Weeping

³⁶ And having said these things, having put-down his knees with them all, he prayed. ³⁷ And there was much weeping from everyone. And having fallen upon the neck of Paul, they were kissing him, ³⁸ suffering-pain especially over the statement which he had spoken— that they were no longer going see his face. And they were accompanying him to the ship.