Add parallel Print Page Options

17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.

Read full chapter

17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor(A) and to present offerings.

Read full chapter

10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.

Read full chapter

10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,(A) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Read full chapter

25 But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers[a] there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia[b] have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 15:25 Greek God’s holy people; also in 15:26, 31.
  2. 15:26 Macedonia and Achaia were the northern and southern regions of Greece.

25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem(A) in the service(B) of the Lord’s people(C) there. 26 For Macedonia(D) and Achaia(E) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.(F) 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.(G) 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain(H) and visit you on the way.

Read full chapter

A Call to Generous Giving

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters,[a] what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 8:1 Greek brothers.
  2. 8:4 Greek for God’s holy people.

The Collection for the Lord’s People

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian(A) churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(B) For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(C) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(D) in this service(E) to the Lord’s people.(F)

Read full chapter

16 Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, for he didn’t want to spend any more time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time for the Festival of Pentecost.

Read full chapter

16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus(A) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,(B) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,(C) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.(D)

Read full chapter

29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters[a] in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 11:29 Greek the brothers.

29 The disciples,(A) as each one was able, decided to provide help(B) for the brothers and sisters(C) living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders(D) by Barnabas(E) and Saul.(F)

Read full chapter

12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem[a] will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 9:12 Greek of God’s holy people.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs(A) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.(B)

Read full chapter

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.[a] For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece[b] were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 9:1 Greek about the offering for God’s holy people.
  2. 9:2 Greek in Achaia, the southern region of the Greek peninsula. Macedonia was in the northern region of Greece.

There is no need(A) for me to write to you about this service(B) to the Lord’s people.(C) For I know your eagerness to help,(D) and I have been boasting(E) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year(F) you in Achaia(G) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.

Read full chapter

You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

Read full chapter

For you know the grace(A) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(B) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(C) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(D)

Read full chapter

The Collection for Jerusalem

16 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.

Read full chapter

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection(A) for the Lord’s people:(B) Do what I told the Galatian(C) churches to do. On the first day of every week,(D) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.(E) Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve(F) and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Read full chapter

31 Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation[a] I am taking to Jerusalem.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 15:31 Greek the ministry; other manuscripts read the gift.

31 Pray that I may be kept safe(A) from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution(B) I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people(C) there,

Read full chapter

Paul Is Arrested

26 So Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them.

Read full chapter

26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.(A)

Read full chapter

31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

Read full chapter

31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years(A) I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.(B)

Read full chapter