Acts 20:23

THE MESSAGE

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.

King James Version (1611)
Saue that the holy Ghost witnesseth in euery city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

King James Version
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

English Standard Version
except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

New American Standard Bible
except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me.

New Century Version
I know only that in every city the Holy Spirit tells me that troubles and even jail wait for me.

Amplified Bible
except that the Holy Spirit solemnly [and emphatically] affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

Legacy Standard Bible
except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me.

Berean Standard Bible
I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.

Contemporary English Version
In every city I visit, I am told by the Holy Spirit that I will be put in jail and will be in trouble in Jerusalem.

Complete Jewish Bible
other than that in every city the Ruach HaKodesh keeps warning me that imprisonment and persecution await me.

Darby Translation
only that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and tribulations await me.

Easy-to-Read Version
I know only that in every city the Holy Spirit tells me that troubles and even jail wait for me.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Saue that ye holy Ghost witnesseth in euery citie, saying, that bondes and afflictions abide me.

George Lamsa Translation
Save that in every city the Holy Spirit testifies to me, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

Good News Translation
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit has warned me that prison and troubles wait for me.

Lexham English Bible
except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in town after town, saying that bonds and persecutions await me.

Literal Translation
but that the Holy Spirit testifies city by city saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

American Standard Version
save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Bible in Basic English
Only that the Holy Spirit makes clear to me in every town that prison and pains are waiting for me.

Hebrew Names Version
except that the Ruach HaKodesh testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.

International Standard Version
except that in town after town the Holy Spirit assures me that imprisonment and suffering are waiting for me.Acts 21:4,11; 1 Thessalonians 3:3;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
Nevertheless, the Spirit of Holiness in every city testifieth to me and saith, that bonds and afflictions are for me.

Murdock Translation
except that the Holy Spirit in every city, testifieth to me and saith: Bonds and afflictions await thee.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But that the holy ghost witnesseth in euery citie, saying that bondes & trouble abyde me.

English Revised Version
save that the Holy Ghost testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

World English Bible
except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Save that the Holy Ghost testifieth to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

Weymouth's New Testament
except that the Holy Spirit, at town after town, testifies to me that imprisonment and suffering are awaiting me.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but that the Hooli Goost `bi alle citees witnessith to me, and seith, that boondis and tribulaciouns at Jerusalem abiden me.

Update Bible Version
save that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Save that the Holy Spirit testifieth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me.

New English Translation
except that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after town that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me.

New King James Version
except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

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

New Life Bible
But in every city I have been, the Holy Spirit tells me that trouble and chains will be waiting for me there.

New Revised Standard
except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
save that, the Holy Spirit, from city to city, doth bear me full witness, saying that, bonds and tribulations, await me.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesseth to me, saying: That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem.

Revised Standard Version
except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
but that the holy goost witnesseth in every cite sayinge: yt bondes and trouble abyde me.

Young's Literal Translation
save that the Holy Spirit in every city doth testify fully, saying, that for me bonds and tribulations remain;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
but yt the holy goost witnesseth in euery cite, and sayeth, that bondes and troubles abyde me there.

Mace New Testament (1729)
save what the holy spirit in every city declares, "that bonds and afflictions wait for me."

Simplified Cowboy Version
but God has told me it ain't gonna be skittles and rainbows. It's going to be rough and rank from here on out.

Contextual Overview

¹⁷From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the leaders of the congregation. When they arrived, he said, "You know that from day one of my arrival in Asia I was with you totally—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. 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, urging Jews and Greeks alike to a radical life-change before God and an equally radical trust in our Master Jesus. ²²"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. 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. 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. ²⁵"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. I've done my best for you, given you my all, held back nothing of God's will for you. ²⁸ "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. ²⁹"I know that as soon as I'm gone, vicious wolves are going to show up and rip into this flock, men from your very own ranks twisting words so as to seduce disciples into following them instead of Jesus. So stay awake and keep up your guard. Remember those three years I kept at it with you, never letting up, pouring my heart out with you, one after another. ³² "Now I'm turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends. ³³"I've never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I've done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You'll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You're far happier giving than getting.'"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the Holy Ghost: Acts 9:16, Acts 14:22, Acts 21:4, Acts 21:11, John 16:33, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Timothy 2:12

abide me: or, wait for me

Reciprocal: Exodus 17:5 - Go on Psalms 119:51 - yet have Psalms 119:157 - yet do I Proverbs 23:23 - sell Ezekiel 3:25 - General Matthew 10:28 - And Matthew 16:25 - General Luke 4:31 - taught Luke 9:24 - General Luke 22:33 - I am John 16:4 - that when John 16:13 - he will show John 16:22 - and your Acts 8:29 - General Acts 13:4 - being Acts 21:33 - be Romans 8:35 - shall tribulation 1 Corinthians 15:31 - die 2 Corinthians 4:17 - our 2 Corinthians 6:4 - afflictions 2 Corinthians 11:23 - in prisons Galatians 6:14 - the world Philippians 1:7 - as Philippians 1:13 - General 1 Thessalonians 2:8 - but 2 Thessalonians 2:2 - shaken 2 Timothy 3:11 - Persecutions Hebrews 11:25 - Choosing

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city,.... As he passed along, where there was a church, or any number of saints: in the churches of those times there were prophets who foretold things to come, and by these the Holy Ghost testified to the apostle, as he travelled along, and called upon the churches in every city, what would befall him when he came to Jerusalem; this sense the natural order of the words requires, unless there should be a transposition of them, thus, "save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me, or wait for me in every city"; that is, this in general was only made known to him by the Spirit of God, that wherever he came, affliction and persecution would attend him, and he must expect bonds and imprisonment; these were ready for him, and be must prepare for them, as he did: and therefore, whenever they came, he was not surprised at them, they were no other than what he looked for; but the other sense seems best, for such a transposition is not very easy, and, besides, can by no means be admitted, if the sense is, as the words are read in Beza's ancient copy, and in others, and in the Vulgate Latin version, "that bonds and afflictions abide me at Jerusalem"; however, since the Holy Ghost testified before hand of the afflictions and bonds of the apostle, whether in every city or in Jerusalem, or both; it is no inconsiderable proof of the proper deity of the Spirit of God, and is an instance of his affectionate regard to the apostle, to give him previous notice of these things.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Save that - Except that. This was all that he knew, that bonds and afflictions were to be his portion.

The Holy Ghost witnesseth - Either by direct revelation to him, or by the predictions of inspired men whom Paul might meet. An instance of the latter mode occurs in Acts 21:11. It is probable that the meaning here is that the Holy Spirit had deeply impressed the mind of Paul by his direct influences, and by his experience in every city, that bonds and trials were to be his portion. Such had been his experience in every city where he had preached the gospel by the direction of the Holy Spirit, that he regarded it as his certain portion that he was thus to be afflicted.

In every city - In almost every city where Paul had been, he had been subjected to these trials. He had been persecuted, stoned, and scourged. So uniform was this, so constant had been his experience in this way, that he regarded it as his certain portion to be thus afflicted, and he approached Jerusalem, and every other city, with a confident expectation that such trials awaited him there.

Saying - In his experience, by direct revelation, and by the mouth of prophets, Acts 21:11. When Paul was called to the apostleship it was predicted that he would suffer much, Acts 9:16.

Bonds - Chains. That I would be bound, as prisoners are who are confined.

Abide me - See the margin. They remain or wait for me; that is, I must expect to suffer them.