The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian^(A) churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.^(B)

¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate^(A) to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth.^(B) The world cannot accept him,^(C) because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be^[a] in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans;^(D) I will come to you.^(E)

²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;^(A) my only aim is to finish the race^(B) and complete the task^(C) the Lord Jesus has given me^(D)—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.^(E)

⁶ You became imitators of us^(A) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering^(B) with the joy^(C) given by the Holy Spirit.^(D)

⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(A) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.^(B)