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laying my life on the line, serving the Master no matter what, putting up with no end of scheming by Jews who wanted to do me in.
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I didn't skimp or trim in any way. Every truth and encouragement that could have made a difference to you, you got. I taught you out in public and I taught you in your homes,
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urging Jews and Greeks alike to a radical life-change before God and an equally radical trust in our Master Jesus.
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"But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I'm completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there.
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I do know that it won't be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead.
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But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.
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"And so this is good-bye. You're not going to see me again, nor I you, you whom I have gone among for so long proclaiming the news of God's inaugurated kingdom.
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I've done my best for you, given you my all,
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held back nothing of God's will for you.
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"Now it's up to you. Be on your toes - both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people - God's people they are - to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.
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"I know that as soon as I'm gone, vicious wolves are going to show up and rip into this flock, men