Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
- KJV Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
- NKJV Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
- NASB Therefore, be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
- NLT Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul urges them to stay watchful, recalling his three years of tearful, ceaseless warning night and day. His own example reinforces the charge.
Overview
Paul points to his tireless, personal care over three years as the pattern the elders should imitate. His admonitions, given with tears and at all hours, flowed from deep love for each soul. Watchfulness rooted in such love is the safeguard against the wolves and false teachers he has just foretold.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Acts 19:8Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.
- Acts 19:10This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.
- Acts 20:19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.
- Heb 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
- Col 1:28We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
- Ezek 3:17–20“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
- Luke 21:36So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
- Matt 13:25But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away.
- 2 Tim 4:5But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
- 1 Th 2:9–10Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
- Rev 16:15“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”
- Matt 3:7But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
- 1 Th 5:14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- 2 Th 3:8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
- Acts 20:7On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.
- Mark 13:34–37It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch.
- Acts 24:17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
- Acts 20:11Then Paul went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. And after speaking until daybreak, he departed.
- 1 Cor 4:14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
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Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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