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) 3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,^(C) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing^(D) in this service^(E) to the Lord’s people.^{(F) 5} And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

¹⁵ Anyone who hates a brother or sister^(A) is a murderer,^(B) and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.^(C)

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.^(D) And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.^{(E) 17} If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,^(F) how can the love of God be in that person?^{(G) 18} Dear children,^(H) let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.^(I)