20Acts 20

Paul Goes through Macedonia and Greece

1When the riot was over, Paul sent for the followers and encouraged them. He then told them goodbye and left for Macedonia.Select Acts 20:1

2As he traveled from place to place, he encouraged the followers with many messages. Finally, he went to GreeceSelect Acts 20:2

3and stayed there for three months. Paul was about to sail to Syria. But some of the Jewish leaders plotted against him, so he decided to return by way of Macedonia.Select Acts 20:3

4With him were Sopater, son of Pyrrhus from Berea, and Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica. Gaius from Derbe was also with him, and so were Timothy and the two Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.Select Acts 20:4

5They went on ahead to Troas and waited for us there.Select Acts 20:5

6After the Festival of Thin Bread, we sailed from Philippi. Five days later we met them in Troas and stayed there for a week.Select Acts 20:6

Paul's Last Visit to Troas

7On the first day of the week we met to break bread together. Paul spoke to the people until midnight because he was leaving the next morning.Select Acts 20:7

8In the upstairs room where we were meeting, there were a lot of lamps.Select Acts 20:8

9A young man by the name of Eutychus was sitting on a window sill. While Paul was speaking, the young man got very sleepy. Finally, he went to sleep and fell three floors all the way down to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead.Select Acts 20:9

10Paul went down and bent over Eutychus. He took him in his arms and said, “Don't worry! He's alive.”Select Acts 20:10

11After Paul had gone back upstairs, he broke bread, and ate with us. He then spoke until dawn and left.Select Acts 20:11

12Then the followers took the young man home alive and were very happy.Select Acts 20:12

The Voyage from Troas to Miletus

13Paul decided to travel by land to Assos. The rest of us went on ahead by ship, and we were to take him aboard there.Select Acts 20:13

14When he met us in Assos, he came aboard, and we sailed on to Mitylene.Select Acts 20:14

15The next day we came to a place near Chios, and the following day we reached Samos. The day after that we sailed to Miletus.Select Acts 20:15

16Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, because he did not want to spend too much time in Asia. He was in a hurry and wanted to be in Jerusalem in time for Pentecost.Select Acts 20:16

Paul Says Goodbye to the Church Leaders of Ephesus

17From Miletus, Paul sent a message for the church leaders at Ephesus to come and meet with him.Select Acts 20:17

18When they got there, he said: You know everything I did during the time I was with you when I first came to Asia.Select Acts 20:18

19Some of the Jews plotted against me and caused me a lot of sorrow and trouble. But I served the Lord and was humble.Select Acts 20:19

20When I preached in public or taught in your homes, I didn't hold back from telling anything that would help you.Select Acts 20:20

21I told Jews and Gentiles to turn to God and have faith in our Lord Jesus.Select Acts 20:21

22I don't know what will happen to me in Jerusalem, but I must obey God's Spirit and go there.Select Acts 20:22

23In every city I visit, I am told by the Holy Spirit that I will be put in jail and will be in trouble in Jerusalem.Select Acts 20:23

24But I don't care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And this work is to tell the good news about God's gift of undeserved grace.Select Acts 20:24

25I have gone from place to place, preaching to you about God's kingdom, but now I know that none of you will ever see me again.Select Acts 20:25

26I tell you today I am no longer responsible for any of you!Select Acts 20:26

27I have told you everything God wants you to know.Select Acts 20:27

28Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock he bought with the blood of his own Son.Select Acts 20:28

29I know that after I am gone, others will come like fierce wolves to attack you.Select Acts 20:29

30Some of your own people will tell lies to win over the Lord's followers.Select Acts 20:30

31Be on your guard! Remember how day and night for three years I kept warning you with tears in my eyes.Select Acts 20:31

32I now place you in God's care. Remember the message about his gift of undeserved grace! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God's people.Select Acts 20:32

33I have never wanted anyone's money or clothes.Select Acts 20:33

34You know how I have worked with my own hands to make a living for myself and my friends.Select Acts 20:34

35By everything I did, I showed how you should work to help everyone who is weak. Remember that our Lord Jesus said, “More blessings come from giving than from receiving.”Select Acts 20:35

36After Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.Select Acts 20:36

37Everyone cried and hugged and kissed him.Select Acts 20:37

38They were especially sad because Paul had told them, “You will never see me again.” Then they went with him to the ship.Select Acts 20:38