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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 he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.
- And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time,
- serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;
- how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,
- solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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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, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,
- except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
- "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
- "And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.
- "Therefore, I testify to you this day 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 did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
- "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
- "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
- and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
- "Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one 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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- "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
- "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes.
- "You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.
- "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
- When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
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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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- And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,
- grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again And they were accompanying him to the ship.
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