20:1 After the disturbance ended, Paul sent for the disciples. When he had consoled and greeted them he went away to Macedonia.

20:2 Passing through those areas and encouraging them with many words, he came into Greece.

20:3 After he had spent three months there, the Judeans plotted against him as he was about to set out for Syria. So he decided instead to return through Macedonia.

20:4 He was to be accompanied as far as the province of Asia by Sopater the son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, also Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

20:5 These people all went on ahead and waited for us in Troas.

20:6 But we set sail from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread and met up with them at Troas five days later, where we stayed for seven days.

20:7 Now on one of the Sabbaths when we gathered to share a meal, Paul debated with them. And since he intended to leave the next day, he extended his speech until midnight.

20:8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we had gathered,

20:9 and a certain youth named Eutychus, who was sitting in a window, sank into a deep sleep. As Paul went on and on, the still-sleeping youth fell down from the third story and was found dead.

20:10 But Paul went down, threw himself upon him and took him in his arms. “Don’t panic!” he said, “He is alive!”

20:11 Then Paul went back upstairs to eat, and he spoke for a long time, up to daybreak, then he left.

20:12 The very-relieved people took the youth home alive.

20:13 We went on ahead to the ship and set out for Assos, where we intended to pick up Paul, because it had been agreed that he would go there on foot.

20:14 When he met up with us at Assos we took him into Mitylene.

20:15 Sailing on from there, we arrived the next day across from Chios. The day after that we arrived at Samos, and the next day we came to Miletus.

20:16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not be detained in the province of Asia, because if he hurried he thought it might be possible for him to reach Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost.

20:17 Then from Miletus he sent for the elders of the Congregation in Ephesus.

20:18 When they came to him he said to them, “You are well aware of how I always behaved among you from the first day I set foot in the province of Asia.

20:19 I served the Master in humility, and through many tears and the trials I endured due to the plots of the Judeans.

20:20 Under no circumstances did I ever hold back any vital information from you. I taught you in public places and private homes,

20:21 solemnly charging both Judeans and non-Judeans with changing their minds toward God and putting their trust in our Master Jesus.

20:22 “And now, you must understand that I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, and I don’t know what will happen to me there.

20:23 What’s more, the Holy Spirit has assured me that in every city, confinement and suffering await me.

20:24 But I have nothing to say about it, and I don’t consider my life more precious than finishing the race and fulfilling the service I was given from Master Jesus: to solemnly testify to the Gospel of the favor of God.

20:25 “I now know that none of you among whom I have gone around proclaiming the Kingdom will see my face again.

20:26 For that reason I testify to you this day that I am not liable for anyone’s life,

20:27 because under no circumstances did I ever try to get out of telling you the whole counsel of God.

20:28 “Pay close attention to yourselves and to the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit appointed you as guardians. Shepherd the Congregation of God, which he purchased with his own blood.

20:29 I know that as soon as I’m out of reach, oppressive wolves will invade you and show no mercy to the flock.

20:30 Men will also rise up from among you and say twisted things in order to acquire disciples to follow them.

20:31 So keep your eyes open, and remember that for three years, day and night, I never stopped warning each of you, with tears.

20:32 And now I present you to God and to the Word about his favor, which is able to build you up so you can enjoy the inheritance of all who have been set apart for divine service.

20:33 “I have not wanted to take anyone’s silver, gold, or clothing.

20:34 You know that with my own hands I have supplied my own needs as well as those of my companions.

20:35 By my example I have demonstrated to all of you how you must work and support the infirm. And remember what Master Jesus said: “There is more joy in giving than in receiving.”

20:36 Having said these things, he knelt to pray with them.

20:37 They all cried and cried, hugging and kissing Paul fondly,

20:38 and were especially grieved at what he had said about them not seeing his face again. Then they sent him off to the ship.