Instructions and Greetings

16 Now concerning the money collected for [the relief of] the saints [in Jerusalem], you are to do the same as I directed the churches of Galatia to do. ² On the first day of every week each one of you is to put something aside, in proportion to his prosperity, and save it so that no collections [will need to] be made when I come. ³ When I arrive, I will send whomever you approve with letters [of authorization] to take your gift [of charity and love] to Jerusalem; ⁴ and if it is fitting for me to go too, they will accompany me.

⁵ I will visit you after I go through Macedonia, for I am only passing through Macedonia; ⁶ but it may be that I will stay with you [for a while], or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way to wherever I may go afterward. ⁷ For I do not wish to see you right now just in passing, but I hope to remain with you for some time [later on], if the Lord permits. ⁸ But I will stay in Ephesus until ^[a]Pentecost, ⁹ because a wide door for effective service has opened to me [in Ephesus, a very promising opportunity], and there are many adversaries.^(A)