1And after the uproar had ended, Paul called the disciples to him, embraced and encouraged them. Then he said goodbye and left for Macedonia.
2And when he had traveled through the country, and had given the believers much encouragement, he finally arrived in Greece,
3Where he stayed three months. And when he learned that some Jews were lying in wait for him, just as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4And he was accompanied into Asia by: Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, of Berea; Aristarchus; Secundus, from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; Tychicus; and Trophimus, from Asia.
5These men went on ahead, and waited for us at Troas.
6And we sailed from Philippi after the festival of unleavened bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
7And on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread (most likely, the Lord’s Supper, or Communion), Paul preached to them, because he intended to leave the next day; and continued speaking until midnight.
8And there were many lamps in the upper chamber, where they had gathered.
9And seated in a window was a young man, named Eutychus, who had fallen into a deep sleep; and as Paul was long preaching, he slumped down, and fell from the third loft, three stories, to his death; and was picked up dead.
10And Paul went down, bent over and embraced him, and said, “Do not fear, he is still alive”.
11Then he went back upstairs, and broke bread, and ate, and after preaching until dawn, he left.
12And the people took the young man home alive, and were greatly relieved.
13And we (Timothy, Gaius, Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Tychicus and Trophimus) went on ahead to the ship, and sailed for Assos, where we intended to take Paul aboard; as he had said, because he intended to go that far on foot.
14And when he met us at Assos, we took him aboard, and went on to Mitylene.
15And we sailed from there, and passed the island of Chios the next day; and the following day we reached Samos, and after a brief stay at Trogyllium; we finally arrived at Miletus.
16For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, because he did not want to spend time in the province of Asia; but was trying to get to Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, if at all possible.
17And from Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
18And when had come to him, he said, “You know how I lived, from the first day that I came into the province of Asia,
19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and trials, which befell me by the plots of the Jews;
20And how I have held back nothing that was helpful to you, but have taught you both publicly, and from house to house,
21Testifying to both the Jews, and Greeks, the need for repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22And now, I feel compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what shall befall me there,
23Except that the Holy Spirit warns me in every city, that bonds and prisons await me.
24But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to me, as long as I finish my task that I have received from the Lord Jesus with joy, and to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God.
25And now I know that none of you, among whom I have preached the kingdom of God, shall ever see my face again.
26And so, I tell you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men;
27For I have not hesitated to declare to you all that God would have you know.
28So take care of yourselves, and all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to nurture the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood.
29For I know this, that after I leave, vicious wolves will come in among you, and not spare the flock.
30Even from your own number men shall arise, distorting the truth, to entice disciples to follow them.
31So watch out, and remember what I warned you time and again, night and day, with tears, for three years.
32And now, 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 those who are sanctified.
33I have coveted no man's silver, gold, or apparel.
34You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my own needs, and the needs of those that were with me.
35I have shown you how by so laboring you 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’.”
36And when he had thus spoken, Paul knelt, and prayed with them all.
37And they all wept, and embraced Paul, and kissed him,
38And what grieved them most of all were the words which he spoke, that they would not see his face again. And then they accompanied him to the ship. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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