The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

9 Now ^(A)it is superfluous for me to write to you about ^(B)the ministry for the saints,

¹⁰ So then, ^(A)as we have opportunity, let us ^(B)do good to everyone, and especially to those who are ^(C)of the household of faith.

⁹ Now concerning ^(A)brotherly love ^(B)you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been ^(C)taught by God ^(D)to love one another, ¹⁰ for that indeed is what ^(E)you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to ^(F)do this more and more,

⁴ begging us earnestly ^(A)for the favor^[a] of taking part in ^(B)the relief of the saints— ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they ^(C)gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶ Accordingly, ^(D)we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you ^(E)this act of grace. ⁷ But as ^(F)you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you^[b]—^(G)see that you excel in this act of grace also.

^8 (H)I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ^(I)though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. ¹⁰ And in this matter ^(J)I give my judgment: ^(K)this benefits you, who ^(L)a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. ¹¹ So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. ¹² For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable ^(M)according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. ¹³ For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness ¹⁴ your abundance at the present time should supply ^(N)their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. ¹⁵ As it is written, ^(O)“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

The Day of the Lord

5 Now concerning ^(A)the times and the seasons, brothers,^{[a] (B)}you have no need to have anything written to you.

¹⁰ Only, they asked us to remember the poor, ^(A)the very thing I was eager to do.

¹² For the ministry of this service is not only supplying ^(A)the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ¹³ By their approval of this service, ^(B)they^[a] will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your ^(C)confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, ¹⁴ while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.

²⁷ But ^(A)the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and ^(B)you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and ^(C)is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Your Throne, O God, Is Forever

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil^[a] of ^(A)the Sons of Korah; a love song.