Paul Greets His Friends

16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea.

Paul Returns to Antioch of Syria

¹⁸ Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters^[a] and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

²² You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.^[a] Love each other deeply with all your heart.^[b]

²³ For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

⁹ A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband.^{[a] 10} She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly?^[b] Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?

¹⁵ Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,

² Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

3 Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not!

³ Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.

³⁰ will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.

⁵⁰ Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”