² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples^(A) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God^(B) in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters,^(C) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit^(D) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them^{(E) 4} and will give our attention to prayer^(F) and the ministry of the word.”

⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,^(G) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;^(H) also Philip,^(I) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed^(J) and laid their hands on them.^(K)

⁷ So the word of God spread.^(L) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,^(M) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

²³ Paul and Barnabas appointed elders^[a](A) for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,^(B) committed them to the Lord,^(C) in whom they had put their trust.

¹⁷ From Miletus,^(A) Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders^(B) of the church. ¹⁸ When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,^(C) from the first day I came into the province of Asia.^{(D) 19} I served the Lord with great humility and with tears^(E) and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.^{(F) 20} You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything^(G) that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. ²¹ I have declared to both Jews^(H) and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance^(I) and have faith in our Lord Jesus.^(J)

²² “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem,^(K) not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me^(L) that prison and hardships are facing me.^{(M) 24} However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;^(N) my only aim is to finish the race^(O) and complete the task^(P) the Lord Jesus has given me^(Q)—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.^(R)

²⁵ “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom^(S) will ever see me again.^{(T) 26} Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.^{(U) 27} For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.^{(V) 28} Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock^(W) of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.^(X) Be shepherds of the church of God,^[a](Y) which he bought^(Z) with his own blood.^{[b](AA) 29} I know that after I leave, savage wolves^(AB) will come in among you and will not spare the flock.^{(AC) 30} Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples^(AD) after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years^(AE) I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.^(AF)

³² “Now I commit you to God^(AG) and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance^(AH) among all those who are sanctified.^{(AI) 33} I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.^{(AJ) 34} You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.^{(AK) 35} In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

³⁶ When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.^(AL)

1 Paul and Timothy,^(A) servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people^(B) in Christ Jesus at Philippi,^(C) together with the overseers^(D) and deacons^[a]:^(E)