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Acts Chapter 20 | A Shepherd’s Final Words

After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. 9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

使徒行傳 20章｜牧者心腸與最後叮囑

亂定之後，保羅請門徒來，勸勉他們，就辭別起行，往馬其頓去。 2 走遍了那一帶地方，用許多話勸勉門徒，然後來到希臘。 3 在那裡住了三個月，將要坐船往敘利亞去，猶太人設計要害他，他就定意從馬其頓回去。 4 同他到亞細亞去的，有庇哩亞人畢羅斯的兒子所巴特，帖撒羅尼迦人亞里達古和西公都，還有特庇人該猶並提摩太，又有亞細亞人推基古和特羅非摩。 5 這些人先走，在特羅亞等候我們。 6 過了除酵的日子，我們從腓立比開船，五天到了特羅亞，和他們相會，在那裡住了七天。

7 七日的第一日，我們聚會掰餅的時候，保羅因為要次日起行，就與他們講論，直講到半夜。 8 我們聚會的那座樓上，有好些燈燭。 9 有一個少年人名叫猶推古，坐在窗臺上，困倦沉睡。保羅講了多時，少年人睡熟了，就從三層樓上掉下去。扶起他來，已經死了。 10 保羅下去，伏在他身上，抱著他說：「你們不要發慌，他的靈魂還在身上。」 11 保羅又上去，掰餅吃了，談論許久，直到天亮，這才走了。 12 有人把那童子活活地領來，得的安慰不小。

13 我們先上船開往亞朔去，意思要在那裡接保羅；因為他是這樣安排的，他自己打算要步行。 14 他既在亞朔與我們相會，我們就接他上船，來到米推利尼。 15 從那裡開船，次日到了基阿的對面；又次日，在撒摩靠岸；又次日，來到米利都。 16 乃因保羅早已定意越過以弗所，免得在亞細亞耽延；他急忙前走，巴不得趕五旬節能到耶路撒冷。

17 保羅從米利都打發人往以弗所去，請教會的長老來。 18 他們來了，保羅就說：「你們知道自從我到亞細亞的日子以來，在你們中間始終為人如何， 19 服侍主凡事謙卑，眼中流淚，又因猶太人的謀害經歷試煉。 20 你們也知道，凡於你們有益的，我沒有一樣避諱不說的，或在眾人面前，或在各人家裡，我都教導你們。 21 又對猶太人和希臘人證明當向神悔改，信靠我主耶穌基督。 22 現在我往耶路撒冷去，心甚迫切，不知道在那裡要遇見什麼事。 23 但知道聖靈在各城裡向我指證，說有捆鎖與患難等待我。 24 我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴，只要行完我的路程，成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事，證明神恩惠的福音。

25 「我素常在你們中間來往，傳講神國的道，如今我曉得，你們以後都不得再見我的面了。 26 所以我今日向你們證明，你們中間無論何人死亡，罪不在我身上， 27 因為神的旨意我並沒有一樣避諱不傳給你們的。 28 聖靈立你們做全群的監督，你們就當為自己謹慎，也為全群謹慎，牧養神的教會，就是他用自己血所買來的。 29 我知道我去之後，必有凶暴的豺狼進入你們中間，不愛惜羊群。 30 就是你們中間也必有人起來，說悖謬的話，要引誘門徒跟從他們。 31 所以你們應當警醒，記念我三年之久晝夜不住地流淚勸誡你們各人。 32 如今我把你們交託神和他恩惠的道，這道能建立你們，叫你們和一切成聖的人同得基業。 33 我未曾貪圖一個人的金、銀、衣服。 34 我這兩隻手常供給我和同人的需用，這是你們自己知道的。 35 我凡事給你們做榜樣，叫你們知道應當這樣勞苦扶助軟弱的人，又當記念主耶穌的話說：『施比受更為有福。』」

36 保羅說完了這話，就跪下同眾人禱告。 37 眾人痛哭，抱著保羅的頸項，和他親嘴。 38 叫他們最傷心的，就是他說「以後不能再見我的面」那句話。於是送他上船去了。