Acts:20:17-38

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* From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come to him ; * and when they arrived , he said to them . "You yourselves know quite well , how I lived among you , from the first day that I set foot in Asia , * "serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind , and with tears , and amid trials that befell me through the plots of the Jews . * "You know that I never shrank from declaring to you anything that was profitable , nor from teaching you publicity and in your homes , * testifying both to Jews and Greeks repentance toward God , and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ . * And now I am going to Jerusalem , bound in the Spirit , not knowing what will befall me there , * except that in city after city the Holy Spirit is warning me that bonds and afflictions are awaiting me . * But I hold not my life of any account , as dear unto myself , if only I may run my race , and accomplish the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus , to attest the gospel of the grace of God . * And now I know that not one of you among whom I went about preaching the kingdom , will ever see my face again . * So I testify to you this day that I am clear from the blood of all men ; * I never shrank from telling you the whole counsel of God . * Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers , and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood . * I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come among you , and they will not spare the flock ; * and that from among your own number , men will arise , perverting the truth , to draw away the disciples after them . * So be on guard ; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all , night and day , even with tears . * "And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace . He is able to build you up , and to give you your inheritance among all those who are consecrated . * "No mans silver or gold of clothing did I ever covet . * "You yourselves know how these hands of mine provided for my needs , and those of my companions . * "In all things I have set you an example , how that so toiling , you ought to help the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus , how he himself said , "It is more blessed to give than to receive ." * When he had so said , Paul kneeled down , and prayed with them . * And they all began , with loud lamentations , to throw their arms about his neck , and to kiss him lovingly , again and again , * sorrowing most of all for the words that he had spoken , that after that day they should look upon his face no more . And they began to escort him to the ship .

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