nkjv Acts:20:17-35 SEEK
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From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church .
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And when they had come to him ,
he said to them : "
You know ,
from the first day that I came to Asia ,
in what manner I always lived among you ,
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serving the Lord with all humility ,
with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews ;
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how I kept back nothing that was helpful ,
but proclaimed it to you ,
and taught you publicly and from house to house ,
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testifying to Jews ,
and also to Greeks ,
repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ .
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And see ,
now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem ,
not knowing the things that will happen to me there ,
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except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city ,
saying that chains and tribulations await me .
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But none of these things move me ;
nor do I count my life dear to myself ,
so that I may finish my race with joy ,
and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus ,
to testify to the gospel of the grace of God .
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And indeed ,
now I know that you all ,
among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God ,
will see my face no more .
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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 to you the whole counsel of God .
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Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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 .
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For I know this ,
that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you ,
not sparing the flock .
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Also from among yourselves men will rise up ,
speaking perverse things ,
to draw away the disciples after themselves .
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Therefore watch ,
and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears .
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So now ,
brethren ,
I commend you to God and to the word of His grace ,
which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified .
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I have coveted no one '
s silver or gold or apparel .
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Yes ,
you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities ,
and for those who were with me .
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I have shown you in every way ,
by 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 ."'