Paul Speaks to the Elders from Ephesus

¹⁷In Miletus Paul sent a message back to Ephesus. Paul invited the elders* (leaders) of the church in Ephesus to come to him. ¹⁸When the elders came, Paul said to them, "You know about my life from the first day I came to Asia.* You know the way I lived all the time I was with you. ¹⁹The Jews planned things against me. This gave me much trouble, and I often cried. But you know that I always served the Lord. I never thought about myself first. ²⁰I always did what was best for you. I told you the Good News* about Jesus in public before the people and also taught in your homes. ²¹I told all people--Jewish people and Greek (non-Jewish) people--to change their hearts and turn to God. I told them all to believe in our Lord Jesus. ²²But now I must obey the Holy Spirit* and go to Jerusalem. I don't know what will happen to me there. ²³I know only that in every city the Holy Spirit tells me that troubles and even jail wait for me [in Jerusalem]. ²⁴I don't care about my own life. The most important thing is that I finish my work. I want to finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do--to tell people the Good News about God's grace (kindness). ²⁵"And now listen to me. I know that none of you will ever see me again. All the time I was with you, I told you the Good News* about the kingdom of God. ²⁶So today I can tell you one thing that I am sure of: God will not blame me if some of you are not saved! ²⁷I can say this because I know that I told you everything that God wants you to know. ²⁸Be careful for yourselves and for all the people that God has given you. The Holy Spirit* gave you the work of caring for this flock (God's people). You must be like shepherds to the church (people) of God.* This is the church that God bought with his own blood.* ²⁹I know that after I leave, some men will come into your group. They will be like wild wolves. They will try to destroy the flock (group). ³⁰Also, men from your own group will become bad leaders. They will begin to teach things that are wrong. They will lead some followers [of Jesus] away from the truth. ³¹So be careful! Always remember this: I was with you for three years. During this time, I never stopped warning you. I taught you night and day. I often cried for you. ³²"Now I am giving you to God. I am depending on the message* about God's grace (kindness) to make you strong. That message is able to give you the blessings that God gives to all his holy people. ³³When I was with you, I never wanted anyone's money or fine clothes. ³⁴You know that I always worked to take care of my own needs and the needs of the people that were with me. ³⁵I always showed you that you should work like I did and help people that are weak. I taught you to remember the words of the Lord Jesus. Jesus said, 'You will be happier when you give than when you receive.'" ³⁶When Paul finished saying these things, he kneeled down and they all prayed together. ^37-38They all cried and cried. The men were very sad because Paul had said that they would never see him again. They hugged Paul and kissed him. They went with him to the ship to say good-bye.

elders A group of men chosen to lead a church. Also called "overseers" and "pastors" ("shepherds"), they have the work of caring for God's people (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; Tit. 1:7,9). Asia The western part of Asia Minor. Good News, message The news that God has made a way for people to have their sins forgiven and live with him forever. Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world. of God Some Greek copies say, "of the Lord." his own blood Or, "the blood of his own son." message, Good News The news that God has made a way for people to have their sins forgiven and live with him forever.