24. But I don't care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And that work is to tell the good news about God's great kindness.
25. I have gone from place to place, preaching to you about God's kingdom, but now I know that none of you will ever see me again.
26. I tell you today that I am no longer responsible for any of you!
27. I have told you everything God wants you to know.
28. Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock that he bought with the blood of his own Son.
29. I know that after I am gone, others will come like fierce wolves to attack you.
30. Some of your own people will tell lies to win over the Lord's followers.
31. Be on your guard! Remember how day and night for three years I kept warning you with tears in my eyes.
32. I now place you in God's care. Remember the message about his great kindness! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God's people.
33. I have never wanted anyone's money or clothes.
34. You know how I have worked with my own hands to make a living for myself and my friends.
35. By everything I did, I showed how you should work to help everyone who is weak. Remember that our Lord Jesus said, “More blessings come from giving than from receiving.”
36. After Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.
37. Everyone cried and hugged and kissed him.
38. They were especially sad because Paul had told them, “You will never see me again.”Then they went with him to the ship.