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And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19
serving the Lord with all humility and with many tears and temptations, which have befallen me by the ambushes of the Jews,
20
and how I kept back nothing that was profitable
unto you, but have showed you and have taught you publicly and from house to house,
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testifying both to the Jews and also to the Gentiles, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
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And now, behold, I go bound of the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there,
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except that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that prisons and tribulations await me.
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But none of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear unto myself, only that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
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And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
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Therefore I take you to record this day that I
am pure from the blood of everyone.
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For I have not refrained from declaring unto you the full counsel of God.
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Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishops to feed the
congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.
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For I know this, that after my departing, grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
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Also from among your own selves, men shall arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves.
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Therefore watch and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
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And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is powerful to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
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I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
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Moreover, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities and to those that were with me.
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I have showed you
in all things how that so labouring, ye 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.