20:14. And when he had met with us at a.s.sos, we took him in and came to Mitylene.
20:15. And sailing thence, the day following we came over against Chios: and the next day we arrived at Samos: and the day following we came to Miletus.
20:16. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, lest he should be stayed any time in Asia. For he hasted, if it were possible for him, to keep the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem.
20:17. And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church.
20:18. And when they were come to him and were together, he said to them: You know from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner I have been with you, for all the time.
20:19. Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and temptations which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews:
20:20. How I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house,
20:21. Testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards G.o.d and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
20:22. And now, behold, being bound in the spirit, I go to Jerusalem: not knowing the things which shall befall me there:
20:23. Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesseth to me, saying: That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem.
20:24. But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of G.o.d.
20:25. And now behold, I know that all you, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of G.o.d, shall see my face no more.
20:26. Wherefore I take you to witness this day that I am clear from the blood of all men.
20:27. For I have not spread to declare unto you all, the counsel of G.o.d.
20:28. Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the Church of G.o.d which he hath purchased with his own blood.
20:29. I know that after my departure ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
20:30. And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
20:31. Therefore watch, keeping in memory that for three years I ceased not with tears to admonish every one of you, night and day.
20:32. And now I commend you to G.o.d and to the word of his grace, who is able to build up and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified.
20:33. I have not coveted any man"s silver, gold or apparel, as
20:34. You yourselves know. For such things as were needful for me and them that are with me, these hands have furnished.
20:35. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to support the weak and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus, how he said: It is a more blessed thing to give, rather than to receive.
20:36. And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with them all.
20:37. And there was much weeping among them all. And falling on the neck of Paul, they kissed him,
20:38. Being grieved most of all for the word which he had said, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him on his way to the ship.
Acts Chapter 21
Paul goes up to Jerusalem. He is apprehended by the Jews in the temple.
21:1. And when it came to pa.s.s that, being parted from them, we set sail, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes: and from thence to Patara.
21:2. And when we had found a ship sailing over to Phenice, we went aboard and set forth.
21:3. And when we had discovered Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed into Syria, and came to Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
21:4. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul, through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
21:5. And the days being expired, departing we went forward, they all bringing us on our way, with their wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we kneeled down on the sh.o.r.e: and we prayed.
21:6. And when we had bid one another farewell, we took ship. And they returned home.
21:7. But we, having finished the voyage by sea, from Tyre came down to Ptolemais: and saluting the brethren, we abode one day with them.
21:8. And the next day departing, we came to Caesarea. And entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.
The evangelist... That is, the preacher of the gospel; the same that before converted the Samaritans, and baptized the eunuch, chap. 8., being one of the first seven deacons.
21:9. And he had four daughters, virgins, who did prophesy.
21:10. And as we tarried there for some days, there came from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
21:11. Who, when he was come to us, took Paul"s girdle: and binding his own feet and hands, he said: Thus saith the Holy Ghost: The man whose girdle this is, the Jews shall bind in this manner in Jerusalem and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
21:12. Which when we had heard, both we and they that were of that place desired him that he would not go up to Jerusalem.
21:13. Then Paul answered and said: What do you mean, weeping and afflicting my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but to die also in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.
21:14. And when we could not persuade him, we ceased, saying: The will of the Lord be done.
21:15. And after those days, being prepared, we went up to Jerusalem.
21:16. And there went also with us some of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
21:17. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
21:18. And the day following, Paul went in with us unto James: and all the ancients were a.s.sembled.
21:19. Whom when he had saluted, he related particularly what things G.o.d had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
21:20. But they hearing it, glorified G.o.d and said to him: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews that have believed: and they are all zealous for the law.
21:21. Now they have heard of thee that thou teachest those Jews, who are among the Gentiles to depart from Moses: saying that they ought not to circ.u.mcise their children, nor walk according to the custom.
21:22. What is it therefore? The mult.i.tude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.