Study Desk

And from Miletus hee sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church.

And when they were come to him, he said vnto them, Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what maner I haue bene with you at all seasons,

Seruing the Lord with all humilitie of minde, and with many teares, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Iewes:

And how I kept backe nothing that was profitable vnto you, but haue shewed you, and haue taught you publikely, and from house to house,

Testifying both to the Iewes and also to the Greekes, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ.

And now behold, I goe bound in the spirit vnto Hierusalem, not knowing the things that shal befall me there:

Saue that the holy Ghost witnesseth in euery city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

But none of these things mooue me, neither count I my life deare vnto my self, so that I might finish my course with ioy, & the ministery which I haue receiued of the Lord Iesus, to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God.

And now behold, I know that ye all, among whom I haue gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

For I haue not shunned to declare vnto you all the counsell of God.

Take heed therefore vnto your selues, & to all the flocke, ouer the which the holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grieuous wolues enter in among you, not sparing the flocke.

Also of your owne selues shal men arise, speaking peruerse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three yeeres, I ceased not to warne euery one night and day with teares.

And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you vp, and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

I haue coueted no mans siluer, or golde, or apparell.

Yea, you your selues know, that these handes haue ministred vnto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

I haue shewed you all things, how that so labouring, yee ought to support the weake, and to remember the words of the Lord Iesus, how he said, It is more blessed to giue, then to receiue.

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled downe, & prayed with them all.

And they all wept sore, and fell on Pauls necke, and kissed him,

Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him vnto the ship.