Acts 20
Journeys in Greece
After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and adeparted to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to aGreece 3 and stayed three months. And awhen the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also aAristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and bGaius of Derbe, and cTimothy, and dTychicus and eTrophimus of Asia. 5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at aTroas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after athe Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them bat Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Ministering at Troas
7 Now on athe first day of the week, when the disciples came together bto break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps ain the upper room where they were gathered together. 9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, afell on him, and embracing him said, b“Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.
From Troas to Miletus
13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for ahe was hurrying bto be at Jerusalem, if possible, on cthe Day of Pentecost.
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, afrom 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 aby the plotting of the Jews; 20 how aI kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 atestifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, brepentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now aI go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that athe Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But anone of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, bso that I may finish my race with joy, cand the ministry dwhich 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 ainnocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you athe whole counsel of God. 28 aTherefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit bhas made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God cwhich He purchased dwith His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure asavage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also afrom among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that afor three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and ato the word of His grace, which is able bto build you up and give you can inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know athat these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, aby 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 awept freely, and bfell 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.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
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