16
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia. He was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, if that was possible.
17
From Miletus Paul sent messengers to the city of Ephesus and called the spiritual leaders of the church to meet with him [in Miletus].
18
When they were with him, he said to them, "You know how I spent all my time with you from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.
19
I humbly served the Lord, often with tears in my eyes. I served the Lord during the difficult times I went through when the Jews plotted against me.
20
I didn't avoid telling you anything that would help you, and I didn't avoid teaching you publicly and from house to house.
21
I warned Jews and Greeks to change the way they think and act and to believe in our Lord Jesus.
22
"I am determined to go to Jerusalem now. I don't know what will happen to me there.
23
However, the Holy Spirit warns me in every city that imprisonment and suffering are waiting for me.
24
But I don't place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I'm running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus--the mission of testifying to the Good News of God's kindness.
25
"Now I know that none of you whom I told about the kingdom [of God]will see me again.
26
Therefore, I declare to you today that I am not responsible for the [spiritual] death of any of you.