So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock

which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care.

Be shepherds of the church of God,

which he made his own

through the sacrificial death of his Son.

I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you,

and they will not spare the flock.

The time will come when some men from your own group

will tell lies to lead the believers away after them.

Watch then, and remember that with many tears, day and night,

I taught every one of you for three years.

And now I commend you to the care of God

and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up

and give you the blessings God has for all his people.