The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection^(A) for the Lord’s people:^(B) Do what I told the Galatian^(C) churches to do. ² On the first day of every week,^(D) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.^{(E) 3} Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve^(F) and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Personal Requests

⁵ After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you^(G)—for I will be going through Macedonia.^{(H) 6} Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey,^(I) wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.^{(J) 8} But I will stay on at Ephesus^(K) until Pentecost,^{(L) 9} because a great door for effective work has opened to me,^(M) and there are many who oppose me.

¹⁰ When Timothy^(N) comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord,^(O) just as I am. ¹¹ No one, then, should treat him with contempt.^(P) Send him on his way^(Q) in peace^(R) so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

¹² Now about our brother Apollos:^(S) I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.