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- And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
- And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
- Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
- And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
- Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
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- From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
- When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.
- I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.
- You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.
- I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
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- And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
- Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
- But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
- Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
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- "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
- I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
- However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
- "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again.
- Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
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- For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
- For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
- Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
- Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
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- For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
- Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
- I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
- Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
- So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
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- And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
- I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
- Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
- I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
- And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
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- "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
- I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.
- You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.
- In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
- When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.
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- And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
- Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
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- They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.
- What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
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