Book of Common Prayer

16 Now I want to tell you about getting money together for God's people. I told the churches in the province of Galatia how to do it. And I want you to do the same.

² On the first day of the week, every one of you should put aside and save as much money as you can. Then you will not have to get money together when I come.

³ When I get there, I will send to Jerusalem the men you all choose. They will carry your gift with your letters of approval.

⁴ And if it seems good for me to go too, they will go with me.

⁵ I am going through the country of Macedonia. After I have gone through there, I will come to you.

⁶ Maybe I will stay with you for a while, or even for the winter. Then you can help me on the way to the next place I go.

⁷ I do not want to stop off to see you just while I am going through. I want to spend some time with you, if it is the Lord's will.

⁸ I will stay in the city of Ephesus until the day of Pentecost.

⁹ A door has opened for me to do much good work here. But there are many people against me.

¹⁵ Jesus knew about their plan, so he went away from there. Many people followed him and he healed them all.

¹⁶ He told them not to tell where he was.

¹⁷ So what Isaiah the prophet of God said, came true.

¹⁸ He said, `This is my servant. I have chosen him. I love him. I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit on him. He will judge the people who are not Jews.

¹⁹ He will not fight or shout. No one will hear his voice in the streets.

²⁰ He will not break a stick that is already bent. He will not put out a light that burns only a little. What is right will win, because he will make it win.

²¹ Those who are not Jews will believe in him.'