MSB ACTs Chapter 20

Paul in Macedonia and Greece

20 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And[fn] he said goodbye [to them] [and] left for Macedonia. 2 [After] traveling through that area and speaking many words of encouragement he arrived in Greece, 3 [where] he stayed three months. [And when] the Jews formed a plot against him [as] he was about to sail for Syria, he decided[fn] to go back through Macedonia.

4 [Paul] was accompanied into [the province of] Asia[fn] by Sopater[fn] from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from [the province of] Asia. 5 These [men] went on ahead [and] waited for us in Troas. 6 And after the [Feast] of Unleavened Bread,[fn] we sailed from Philippi, and five days later we rejoined them in Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Eutychus Revived at Troas

(2 Kings 4:18–37)

7 On the first [day] of the week, the disciples came together[fn] to break bread. [Since] Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.

8 Now there were many lamps in the upper room where we were[fn] gathered. 9 And a certain young man named Eutychus, seated in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down, threw [himself] on [the young man], and embraced [him]. “{Do} not be alarmed!” he said. He is still alive

11 Then [Paul] went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. And after speaking until daybreak, he departed. 12 And [the people] {were} greatly relieved to take the boy [home] alive.

From Troas to Miletus

13 We went to[fn] the ship [and] sailed to Assos, [where] we were to take Paul {aboard}. He had arranged this because he was going there on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him aboard [and] went on to Mitylene. 15 Sailing on from there, we arrived the next [day] opposite Chios. The [day] after that we arrived at Samos. And after remaining at Trogyllium,[fn] on the following [day] we came to Miletus.

16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in [the province of] Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible by the day of Pentecost.[fn]

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians

17 From Miletus, [Paul] sent to Ephesus [for] the elders of the church.

18 When they came to him, he said “You know how I lived the whole time [I was] with you, from the first day I arrived in [the province of] Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with many tears,[fn] especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews. 20 I did not shrink back from declaring [anything] that was helpful to you [as] I taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews and Greeks alike {about} repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus.[fn]

22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me [there]. 23 [I] only [know] that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns[fn] that chains and afflictions await me. 24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course with joy[fn] and [ complete ] the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—[ the ministry ] of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

25 Now I know that [none of] you among whom I have preached the kingdom of God[fn] will see my face [again]. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I [am] innocent of the blood of all [men].[fn] 27 For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

28 Therefore[fn] keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of the Lord and of God,[fn] which He purchased with [His] own blood.[fn] 29 For I know this,[fn] that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number, men will rise up [and] distort [the truth] to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert [and] remember that for three years I never stopped warning each [of you] night and day with tears.

32 And now I commit you, brothers,[fn] to God and to the word of His grace, which can build [you] up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands [of mine] have ministered to my [own] needs and [those of] my companions 35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

36 [When] [Paul] had said this, he knelt down with all of them [and] prayed. 37 They all wept openly [as] they embraced Paul [and] kissed him. 38 They were especially grieved by his statement that they would [never] see his face [again]. Then they accompanied him to the ship.