Acts 20:17-38 - Paul's Farewell To The Ephesian Elders
17 And from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus, requesting that the elders of the church [there] come to him. 18 And when they arrived, he said to them, "You [men] know the kind of life I lived when I was with you, from the [very] first day I set foot in [the province of] Asia. 19 [You know that] I served the Lord with humility, with tears and with trials that I experienced as the result of plots by the Jews. 20 [You know] how I held back nothing in declaring to you whatever was profitable, and taught you in public [meetings] and in your homes. 21 [You know how] I testified to both Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], that they must repent [i.e., change their attitudes and behavior] toward God, and have faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 "And now, look, I am going to Jerusalem, impelled by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me [when I get] there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit reveals to me in every city [I visit] that chains and persecutions await me there. 24 But I do not consider my life to be of value, as precious to me, [when compared to the importance of] accomplishing my task and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to declare the good news of God's unearned favor [through Christ].
25 Now look, I know that none of you, among whom I traveled on preaching missions, will ever see my face again. 26 Therefore, I [must] declare to you today that I am not responsible for what happens to any of you. 27 For I held nothing back in declaring to you the entire message of God. 28 So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood. 29 [Because] I know that after I am gone [from here] there will be vicious wolves [i.e., ravaging false teachers] who will come in among you, and they will not spare the flock [i.e., the congregation]. 30 [Indeed, even] from among your own selves [i.e., the body of elders there in Ephesus] some men will arise and, by speaking false things, they will lead away the disciples, [influencing them] to follow them. 31 So, be very watchful, and remember that for three years I never stopped warning every one of you [about such matters] both night and day with tears [in my eyes].
32 "Now I commit you [elders] to God and to the message of His unearned favor which can build you up [spiritually] and provide you with the inheritance [of never ending life], along with others who are [specially] set apart [for God]. 33 [You know that] I had no greedy desire for anyone's silver, gold or clothing. 34 You [also] know that I worked with my own hands to provide not only my own needs, but the needs of those who were with me. 35 I have demonstrated before you a [good] example in all [these] things, so that you [too] will work hard to help those who are [physically] weak. [Also] remember the words of the Lord Jesus who Himself said, 'It is a greater blessing [for you] to give [to people's needs] than to receive [help yourselves].' "
36 After speaking these things Paul knelt down and prayed with all of the elders. 37 And when they all had a good cry, they embraced Paul and kissed him. 38 What saddened them most of all was when Paul said that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to his ship.