1Now I want to deal with the offering of money for the Lord’s people. Do what I told the churches in Galatia to do.2On the first day of every week, each of you should put some money away. The amount should be in keeping with how much money you make. Save the money so that you won’t have to take up an offering when I come.3When I arrive, I will send some people with your gift to Jerusalem. They will be people you consider to be good. And I will give them letters that explain who they are.4If it seems good for me to go also, they will go with me.
What Paul asks for himself
5After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you. I will only be passing through Macedonia.6But I might stay with you for a while. I might even spend the winter. Then you can help me on my journey everywhere I go.7I don’t want to see you now while I am just passing through. Instead, I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows it.8But I will stay at Ephesus until the day of Pentecost.9A door has opened wide for me to do some good work here. There are many people who oppose me.10Timothy will visit you. Make sure he has nothing to worry about while he is with you. He is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.11No one should treat him badly. Send him safely on his way so he can return to me. I’m expecting him to come back along with the others.12I want to say something about our brother Apollos. I tried my best to get him to go to you with the others. But he didn’t want to go right now. He will go when he can.13Be on your guard. Remain strong in the faith. Be brave.14Be loving in everything you do.15You know that the first believers in Achaia were from the family of Stephanas. They have spent all their time serving the Lord’s people. Brothers and sisters, I am asking you16to follow the lead of people like them. Follow everyone who joins in the task and works hard at it.17I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived. They have supplied me with what you couldn’t give me.18They renewed my spirit, and yours also. People like them are worthy of honour.
Final greetings
19The churches in Asia Minor send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly because of the Lord’s love. So does the church that meets in their house.20All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.21I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.22If anyone does not love the Lord, let a curse be on that person! Come, Lord!23May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.24I give my love to all of you who belong to Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 Corinthians 16
English Standard Version
The Collection for the Saints
1Now concerning[1] the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. (Ac 24:17)2On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (Ac 20:7; 2Co 8:3; 2Co 8:11; 2Co 9:3; Re 1:10)3And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. (2Co 8:18)4If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Plans for Travel
5I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, (Ac 16:9; Ac 19:21; 1Co 4:19)6and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. (Ac 15:3; 1Co 16:11)7For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. (Ac 18:21; 1Co 4:19; 2Co 1:15; Jas 4:15)8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, (Ac 2:1)9for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (Ac 14:27; Ac 19:9)10When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. (Ro 16:21; 1Co 4:17; 1Co 15:58; 2Co 1:1; Php 2:20; Php 2:22; 1Th 3:2)11So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. (Ac 15:33; 1Co 16:6; 1Ti 4:12; Tit 2:15)
Final Instructions
12Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will[2] to come now. He will come when he has opportunity. (Ac 18:24)13Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (1Sa 4:9; 2Sa 10:12; Isa 46:8; Mt 24:42; 1Co 15:1; Ga 5:1; Eph 3:16; Eph 6:10; Php 1:27; Php 4:1; Col 1:11; 1Th 3:8; 2Th 2:15)14Let all that you do be done in love. (1Co 14:1)15Now I urge you, brothers[3]—you know that the household[4] of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— (Ro 15:31; Ro 16:5; 1Co 1:16)16be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. (1Th 5:12; Heb 13:17)17I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, (2Co 11:9; Php 2:30; Phm 1:13)18for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people. (Ro 15:32; 2Co 7:13; Php 2:29; 1Th 5:12; Phm 1:7; Phm 1:20)
Greetings
19The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. (Ac 18:2; Ro 16:5)20All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. (Ro 16:16)21I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. (Ro 16:22; Ga 6:11; Col 4:18; 2Th 3:17; Phm 1:19)22If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come![5] (Ro 9:3)23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. (Ro 16:20)24My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.