Acts 20:22-38

22“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me,

23except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.

24But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

25“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again.

26I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault,

27for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

28“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.

29I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.

30Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

31Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

32“And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

33“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes.

34You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me.

35And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

36When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them.

37They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye.

38They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.