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20:1-38 After the uproar
ceased Paul summoned the disciples and after exhorting them he took leave
and left to go to Macedonia. Then having gone through those parts and
having exhorted them with much speech he came into Greece. After spending three months there and
because there was a plot against him by the Jews he was about to set sail
for Syria. He had a mind to return through Macedonia. Accompanying him were Sopater (son) of
Pyrrhus a Beroean, and the Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and
Gaius who was a Derbean and Timothy.
There were the Asians Tychicus and Trophimus. These men went forward and waited for us
in Troas.
After the days of unleavened bread we sailed away from Philippi and
in five days we came to them at Troas
where we stayed seven days. On the
first day of the Sabbath we were assembled to break bread. Paul lectured to
them (the assembly) because he was about to leave the next day. He continued his speech until midnight. Now there were a considerable number of
lamps in the upper room (where) we were assembled. There was a certain young man named
Eutychus sitting on the window sill.
He was overcome by a deep sleep since Paul lectured for a longer time than usual. Overcome by sleep (Eutychus) fell from
the third floor down onto the ground and was picked up dead. But going down Paul lay over him and
embraced him closely. He said
"Do not be terrified for life is in him." And going upstairs and breaking the bread
and eating it he conversed for a considerable time until it was
daylight. Then he departed. They brought (in) the lad who was alive
and they were comforted (about this) in no small way. We got onto the ship (that was) setting
sail to Assos. We then intended to
pick up Paul as arranged because he was intending to go (there) on foot. Now when he met with us in Assos we
brought him on board and we came to Mitylene. Sailing from there the next day we
arrived off Chios and (then went on to) Samos.
Next we came to Miletus. Paul
had decided to sail past Ephesus so
that he would not spend time in Asia for
he was in a hurry. (He was hoping)
if possible for him to be in Jerusalem
on the day of Pentecost. From Miletus he
sent to Ephesus
and summoned the elders of the church.
When they came to him he said to them. "You understand that
from the first day I set foot in Asia how
I lived the whole time. (I was)
serving the Lord with all humility and with
the tears and trials that were happening
to me because of the plots of the Jews. I kept nothing back of
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things that
would be beneficial to declare and publicly teach you from house to
house. (I was) solemnly witnessing
both to Jews and to Greeks (the need for) repentance toward God and faith
in our Lord Jesus. And now behold I
have been bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem so I can meet with what is
unknown, apart from the fact that the Holy Spirit has solemnly shown me in
every city, that bonds and afflictions wait for me. But I make no account of my life. What is precious to me is that I may
finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord
Jesus. This is to solemnly witness
to the gospel (good news) of the grace (life) of God. So now behold I know that you will not
see my face again, neither will you, nor all (those) amongst whom I went
about proclaiming the kingdom. So I
witness to you today that I am clean of the blood of all men. I did not refrain from declaring to you
all the counsel of God. Take care of yourselves and also all the flock. The Holy Spirit has given it to you to oversee and
shepherd the church
of God which he
acquired through the blood of his own (son). I know that after my departure wolves
will come in causing grief amongst you and who will not spare the
flock. (Also) men will rise up from
amongst yourselves speaking perverted things (in order) to drag the
disciples away after them. Therefore keep watch. Remember that for three years, night and
day I did not cease admonishing with tears each one of you And now I commend you to the Lord and to the grace of his
word. (This will) enable you to
build and to pass on the inheritance of all those who have been sanctified
(with the life of grace). I have not
coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that my own hands
ministered to my needs and to those (of the people) who were with me. I
showed you all things so that in thus labour it was fitting to help those
ailing (in faith) and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that is,
when he said "It is blessed to give rather than to receive." And so having said these things and kneeling
down with all of them he (Paul) prayed.
There was considerable weeping amongst all. They fell onto Paul's
neck and fervently kissed him. They
were suffering most over the word that he had said - that they would never
see his face again. And so they
escorted him to the ship
. The Flock
(20:28)
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