1 Corinthians 16
The Gift for Other Believers
1 Now I will write about the collection of money for God’s people. Do the same thing I told the Galatian churches to do:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should put aside money as you have been blessed. Save it up so you will not have to collect money after I come.3 When I arrive, I will send whomever you approve to take your gift to Jerusalem. I will send them with letters of introduction,
4 and if it seems good for me to go also, they will go along with me.
Paul’s Plans
5 I plan to go through Macedonia, so I will come to you after I go through there.6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a time or even all winter. Then you can help me on my trip, wherever I go.7 I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to stay a longer time with you if the Lord allows it.8 But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost,
9 because a good opportunity for a great and growing work has been given to me now. And there are many people working against me.
10 If Timothy comes to you, see to it that he has nothing to fear with you, because he is working for the Lord just as I am.
11 So none of you should treat Timothy as unimportant, but help him on his trip in peace so that he can come back to me. I am expecting him to come with the brothers.
12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers. He did not at all want to come now; he will come when he has the opportunity.
Paul Ends His Letter
13 Be alert. Continue strong in the faith. Have courage, and be strong.
14 Do everything in love.
15 You know that the family of Stephanas were the first believers in Southern Greece and that they have given themselves to the service of God’s people. I ask you, brothers and sisters,
16 to follow the leading of people like these and anyone else who works and serves with them.
17 I am happy that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come. You are not here, but they have filled your place.
18 They have refreshed my spirit and yours. You should recognize the value of people like these.
19 The churches in Asia send greetings to you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you in the Lord, as does the church that meets in their house.
20 All the brothers and sisters here send greetings. Give each other a holy kiss when you meet.
21 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be separated from God—lost forever!
Come, O Lord!
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.
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