16
Paul had decided to sail on by Ephesus, so as not to lose any time in the province of Asia. He was in a hurry to arrive in Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, if at all possible.
17
From Miletus Paul sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him.
18
When they arrived, he said to them, "You know how I spent the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.
19
With all humility and many tears I did my work as the Lord's servant during the hard times that came to me because of the plots of some Jews.
20
You know that I did not hold back anything that would be of help to you as I preached and taught in public and in your homes.
21
To Jews and Gentiles alike I gave solemn warning that they should turn from their sins to God and believe in our Lord Jesus.
22
And now, in obedience to the Holy Spirit I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
23
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit has warned me that prison and troubles wait for me.
24
But I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me; I only want to complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the Good News about the grace of God.
1
25
"I have gone about among all of you, preaching the Kingdom of God. And now I know that none of you will ever see me again.
26
So I solemnly declare to you this very day: if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible.