Acts 20:17-35

¹⁷And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church.

¹⁸And when they were come to him, and were together, he said to them: You know from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner I have been with you, for all the time,

¹⁹Serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and temptations which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews;

²⁰How I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house,

²¹Testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

²²And now, behold, being bound in the spirit, I go to Jerusalem: not knowing the things which shall befall me there:

²³Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesseth to me, saying: That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem.

²⁴But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

²⁵And now behold, I know that all you, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

²⁶Wherefore I take you to witness this day, that I am clear from the blood of all men;

²⁷For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

²⁸Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

²⁹I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

³⁰And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

³¹Therefore watch, keeping in memory, that for three years I ceased not, with tears to admonish every one of you night and day.

³²And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build up, and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified.

³³I have not coveted any man’s silver, gold, or apparel, as

³⁴You yourselves know: for such things as were needful for me and them that are with me, these hands have furnished.

³⁵I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus, how he said: It is a more blessed thing to give, rather than to receive.