1 Corinthians 16

The Collection for the People in Jerusalem

1 Now, concerning the money to be collected for God’s people in Jerusalem: I want you to do as I directed the churches in Galatia.2 Every Sunday each of you should set aside some of your money and save it. Then money won’t have to be collected when I come.3 When I come, I will give letters of introduction to the people whom you choose. You can send your gift to Jerusalem with them.

4 If I think it’s worthwhile for me to go, they can go with me.

Paul’s Plans

5 After I go through the province of Macedonia, I’ll visit you. (I will be going through Macedonia.)6 I’ll probably stay with you. I might even spend the winter. Then you can give me your support as I travel, wherever I decide to go.7 Right now all I could do is visit you briefly, but if the Lord lets me, I hope to spend some time with you.8 I will be staying here in Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 I have a great opportunity to do effective work here, although there are many people who oppose me.

News About Timothy, Apollos, and Others

10 If Timothy comes, make sure that he doesn’t have anything to be afraid of while he is with you. He’s doing the Lord’s work as I am,

11 so no one should treat him with contempt. Without quarreling, give him your support for his trip so that he may come to me. I’m expecting him to arrive with the other Christians.
12 Concerning Apollos, our brother in the Christian faith: I tried hard to get him to visit you with the other Christians. He didn’t want to at this time. However, he will visit you when he has an opportunity.13 Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong.

14 Do everything with love.
15 You know that the family of Stephanas was the first family to be won for Christ in Greece. This family has devoted itself to serving God’s people. So I encourage you, brothers and sisters,16 to follow the example of people like these and anyone else who shares their labor and hard work.17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came here. They have made up for your absence.

18 They have comforted me, and they have comforted you. Therefore, show people like these your appreciation.

Greetings

19 The churches in the province of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca and the church that meets in their house send their warmest Christian greetings.20 All the brothers and sisters here greet you. Greet each other with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.
22 If anyone doesn’t love the Lord, let him be cursed! Our Lord, come!23 May the good willt of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 Through Christ Jesus my love is with all of you.

1 Corinthians 16

A Collection to Aid Jewish Christians

1 With regard to the collection for the saints, please follow the directions that I gave to the churches of Galatia:t2 On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside some incomet and savet it to the extent that God has blessed you,t so that a collection will not have to be madet when I come.3 Then, when I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters of explanation to carry your gift to Jerusalem.s

4 And if it seems advisable that I should go also, they will go with me.

Paul’s Plans to Visit

5 But I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia – for I will be going through Macedonia –6 and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you can send me on my journey, wherever I go.7 For I do not want to see you now in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.8 But I will stay in Ephesuss until Pentecost,

9 because a door of great opportunity stands wide open for me,t but there are many opponents.
10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I am too.

11 So then, let no one treat him with contempt. But send him on his way in peace so that he may come to me. For I am expecting him with the brothers.t

12 With regard to our brother Apollos: I strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers,t but it was simply not his intention to come now.t He will come when he has the opportunity.

Final Challenge and Blessing

13 Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.

14 Everything you do should be done in love.
15 Now, brothers and sisters,t you know about the household of Stephanus, that as the first convertst of Achaia, they devoted themselves to ministry for the saints. I urge you16 also to submit to people like this, and to everyone who cooperates in the work and labors hard.17 I was glad about the arrival of Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus because they have supplied the fellowship with you that I lacked.t

18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. So then, recognize people like this.
19 The churches in the province of Asiat send greetings to you. Aquila and Priscas greets you warmly in the Lord, with the church that meets in their house.

20 All the brothers and sisterst send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, send this greeting with my own hand.

22 Let anyone who has no love for the Lord be accursed. Our Lord, come!t

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.s