Acts 20:16–28

¹⁶For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for ^qhe was hurrying ^rto be at Jerusalem, if possible, on ^sthe Day of Pentecost.

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

¹⁷From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. ¹⁸And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, ^tfrom the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, ¹⁹serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me ^uby the plotting of the Jews; ²⁰how ^vI kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, ^21wtestifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, ^xrepentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ²²And see, now ^yI go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, ²³except that ^zthe Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. ²⁴³But ^anone of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, ^bso that I may finish my ⁴race 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. ²⁶Therefore I testify to you this day that I am ^einnocent ⁵of the blood of all men. ²⁷For I have not ⁶shunned to declare to you ^fthe whole counsel of God. ^28gTherefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit ^hhas made you overseers, to shepherd the church ⁷of God ⁱwhich He purchased ^jwith His own blood.