16. Paul had already decided not to stop at Ephesus. He did not want to stay too long in Asia. He was hurrying to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, if that was possible.
17. Now from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
18. When they came to him, he said, “You know about my life from the first day I came to Asia. You know the way I lived all the time I was with you.
19. The Jews plotted against me. This troubled me very much. But you know that I always served the Lord. I never thought of myself first, and I often cried.
20. You know I preached to you, and I did not hold back anything that would help you. You know that I taught you in public and in your homes.
21. I warned both Jews and Greeks to change their lives and turn to God. And I told them all to believe in our Lord Jesus.
22. But now I must obey the Holy Spirit and go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what will happen to me there.