15
We sailed from there, and on the following day we arrived
opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos, and*
the day after that we came to Miletus. 16For Paul had
decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have
to spend time in Asia; he was eager to be in Jerusalem,
if possible, on the day of Pentecost. 17 From Miletus
he sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the
church to meet him. 18When they came to him, he said
to them:
‘You
yourselves know how I lived among you the entire time
from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19serving
the Lord with all humility and with tears, enduring
the trials that came to me through the plots of the
Jews. 20I did not shrink from doing anything helpful,
proclaiming the message to you and teaching you publicly
and from house to house, 21as I testified to both Jews
and Greeks about repentance towards God and faith towards
our Lord Jesus. 22And now, as a captive to the Spirit,*
I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen
to me there, 23except that the Holy Spirit testifies
to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions
are waiting for me. 24But I do not count my life of
any value to myself, if only I may finish my course
and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus,
to testify to the good news of God’s grace.
25
‘And now I know that none of you, among whom I have
gone about proclaiming the kingdom, will ever see my
face again. 26Therefore I declare to you this day that
I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, 27for
I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose
of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and over all the
flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,
to shepherd the church of God* that he obtained with
the blood of his own Son.* 29I know that after I have
gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing
the flock. 30Some even from your own group will come
distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples
to follow them. 31Therefore be alert, remembering that
for three years I did not cease night or day to warn
everyone with tears. 32And now I commend you to God
and to the message of his grace, a message that is able
to build you up and to give you the inheritance among
all who are sanctified. 33I coveted no one’s silver
or gold or clothing. 34You know for yourselves that
I worked with my own hands to support myself and my
companions. 35In all this I have given you an example
that by such work we must support the weak, remembering
the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It
is more blessed to give than to receive.” ’
36
When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them
all and prayed. 37There was much weeping among them
all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38grieving especially
because of what he had said, that they would not see
him again. Then they brought him to the ship.
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、免得在亞西亞耽延.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、自從我到亞西亞的日子以來、在你們中間始終為人如何、 19 服事主凡事謙卑、眼中流淚、又因猶太人的謀害、經歷試煉。 20 你們也知道、凡與你們有益的、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、和希利尼人、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、〔原文作心被捆綁〕不知道在那裡要遇見甚麼事. 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。〔原文作我於眾人的血是潔淨的〕27 因為 神的旨意、我並沒有一樣避諱不傳給你們的。 28 聖靈立你們作全群的監督、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。〔或作救贖的〕29 我知道我去之後、必有兇暴的豺狼、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 所以你們應當儆醒、記念我三年之久、晝夜不住的流淚、勸戒你們各人。 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 我凡事給你們作榜樣、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。 |