Acts 20:16-28

Paul had planned to sail on past Ephesus so he wouldn't have to spend time in the province of Asia. He was keen to get to Jerusalem in time for the Day of Pentecost. From Miletus Paul sent a message to the elders of the church in Ephesus. When they arrived, he told them, “You know how I always behaved while I was with you from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. I served the Lord in humility and in tears. I put up with the troubles and stress caused by the plots of the Jews. However, I never held back from sharing with you anything that would be to your benefit, and I taught you in public, going from house to house. I witnessed both to Jews and Greeks that it was essential to repent and turn to God, and to trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. Now the Spirit is insisting that I go to Jerusalem, and I have no idea what will happen to me there. All I know is that in every city I visit the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and suffering are waiting for me. But I don't consider my life as worth anything to me. I only want to finish my mission and the ministry that the Lord Jesus gave to me, to witness to the good news of the grace of God. Now I am certain that you will not see my face again, you among whom I shared the news of the kingdom. So I declare to you today that I am not responsible if anyone is lost. I didn't hesitate to tell you everything God wants you to know. Take care of yourselves and of all the flock, which the Holy Spirit has given to you to supervise. Feed the Lord's church which he bought with his own blood.