The Early Church

except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.

But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Yeshua, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.

“Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about proclaiming the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men,

for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.

Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

I coveted no one’s silver, or gold, or clothing.

You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.

In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Yeshua, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

When we had departed from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.

When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo.

Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

When those days were over, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.

After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.

When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.

On the next day, we, who were Paul’s companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.