¹⁷ Now ^(A)after several years ^(B)I came to bring alms to ^(C)my nation and to present ^(D)offerings.

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

²⁵ At present, however, ^(A)I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. ²⁶ For ^(B)Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. ²⁷ For they were pleased to do it, and indeed ^(C)they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. ²⁸ When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected,^[a] I will leave ^(D)for Spain by way of you.

Encouragement to Give Generously

8 We want you to know, brothers,^[a] about the grace of God that has been ^(A)given among the churches of Macedonia, ² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and ^(B)their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave ^(C)according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴ begging us earnestly ^(D)for the favor^[b] of taking part in ^(E)the relief of the saints—

²⁹ So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, ^(A)to send relief to ^(B)the brothers^[a] living in Judea. ^30 (C)And they did so, sending it to ^(D)the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.