Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning (A)the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: (B)On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, (C)whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. (D)But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Personal Plans(E)

Now I will come to you (F)when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may (G)send me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, (H)if the Lord permits.

But I will tarry in Ephesus until (I)Pentecost. For (J)a great and effective door has opened to me, and (K)there are many adversaries.

10 And (L)if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for (M)he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 (N)Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey (O)in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

12 Now concerning our brother (P)Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

Final Exhortations

13 (Q)Watch, (R)stand fast in the faith, be brave, (S)be strong. 14 (T)Let all that you do be done with love.

15 I urge you, brethren—you know (U)the household of Stephanas, that it is (V)the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to (W)the ministry of the saints— 16 (X)that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and (Y)labors with us.

17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, (Z)for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 18 (AA)For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore (AB)acknowledge such men.

Greetings and a Solemn Farewell

19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, (AC)with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you.

(AD)Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 (AE)The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

22 If anyone (AF)does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, (AG)let him be [a]accursed. (AH)O[b] Lord, come!

23 (AI)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Gr. anathema
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Aram. Marana tha; possibly Maran atha, Our Lord has come

16 Now, in regard to the collection being made for God’s people: you are to do the same as I directed the congregations in Galatia to do. Every week, on Motza’ei-Shabbat, each of you should set some money aside, according to his resources, and save it up; so that when I come I won’t have to do fundraising. And when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the people you have approved, and I will send them to carry your gift to Yerushalayim. If it seems appropriate that I go too, they will go along with me.

I will visit you after I have gone through Macedonia, for I am intending to pass through Macedonia, and I may stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me continue my travels wherever I may go. For I don’t want to see you now, when I am only passing through; because I am hoping to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows it. But I will remain in Ephesus until Shavu‘ot, because a great and important door has opened for my work, and there are many people opposing me.

10 If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to be afraid of while he is with you; for he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11 So let no one treat him with disrespect. Help him on his way in peace, so that he will return to me, for the brothers and I are expecting him.

12 As for brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to go and visit you along with the other brothers; and although it was not at all his desire to come at this time, he will come when he has the opportunity.

13 Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, behave like a mentsh, grow strong. 14 Let everything you do be done in love.

15 Now, brothers, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first people in Achaia to put their trust in the Messiah, and they have devoted themselves to serving God’s people. 16 I urge you to submit yourselves to people like these and to everyone who works and toils with them. 17 I am glad that Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus are here, because they have helped make up for your not being here. 18 They have refreshed my spirit, just as they have yours. I want you to show appreciation for people like these.

19 The congregations in the province of Asia send greetings to you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you in union with the Lord, as does the congregation that meets in their house. 20 All the brothers send you their greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 Now, I Sha’ul, greet you in my own handwriting.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse on him! Marana, ta!
[Our Lord, come!]
23 May the grace of the Lord Yeshua be with you.
24 My love is with you all, in union with the Messiah Yeshua.