1 Corinthians 16
Chapter 16
The Collection for Jerusalem
1 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.2 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.3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.
4 And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.
Paul’s Final Instructions
5 I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia,t for I am planning to travel through Macedonia.6 Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination.7 This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me.8 In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost.
9 There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.
10 When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.
11 Don’t let anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.t
12 Now about our brother Apollos—I urged him to visit you with the other believers, but he was not willing to go right now. He will see you later when he has the opportunity.
13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.t Be strong.
14 And do everything with love.
15 You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece,t and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters,t16 to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion.17 I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me.
18 They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.
Paul’s Final Greetings
19 The churches here in the province of Asiat send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscillat and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings.
20 All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with Christian love.t
21 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come!t
23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.t
1 CORINTHIANS 16
A Collection for God's People
1 t When you collect money for God's people, I want you to do exactly what I told the churches in Galatia to do. 2 That is, each Sunday each of you must put aside part of what you have earned. If you do this, you won't have to take up a collection when I come. 3 Choose some followers to take the money to Jerusalem. I will send them on with the money and with letters which show that you approve of them.
4 If you think I should go along, they can go with me.Paul's Travel Plans
5 t After I have gone through Macedonia, I hope to see you 6 and visit with you for a while. I may even stay all winter, so that you can help me on my way to wherever I will be going next. 7 If the Lord lets me, I would rather come later for a longer visit than to stop off now for only a short visit. 8 t t I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,
9 because there is a wonderful opportunity for me to do some work here. But there are also many people who are against me.
10 t When Timothy arrives, give him a friendly welcome. He is doing the Lord's work, just as I am.
11 Don't let anyone mistreat him. I am looking for him to return to me together with the other followers. So when he leaves, send him off with your blessings.
12 I have tried hard to get our friend Apollos to visit you with the other followers. He doesn't want to come just now, but he will come when he can.Personal Concerns and Greetings
13 Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong.
14 Show love in everything you do.
15 t You know that Stephanas and his family were the first in Achaia to have faith in the Lord. They have done all they can for God's people. My friends, I ask you
16 to obey leaders like them and to do the same for all others who work hard with you.
17 I was glad to see Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus. Having them here was like having you.
18 They made me feel much better, just as they made you feel better. You should appreciate people like them.
19 t Greetings from the churches in Asia.
Aquila and Priscilla, together with the church that meets in their house, send greetings in the name of the Lord.
20 All the Lord's followers send their greetings.
Give each other a warm greeting.
21 I am signing this letter myself: PAUL.
22 I pray that God will put a curse on everyone who doesn't love the Lord. And may the Lord come soon.
23 I pray the Lord Jesus will be kind to you.
24 I love everyone who belongs to Christ Jesus.
