| New International Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Now about the collection for the Lord's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. | 1Now 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. |
| 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. | 2On 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. |
| 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. | 3When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. |
| 4If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. | 4And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me. |
| 5After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you--for I will be going through Macedonia. | 5I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. |
| 6Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. | 6Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. |
| 7For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. | 7This 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. |
| 8But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, | 8In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. |
| 9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. | 9There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. |
| 10When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. | 10When Timothy comes, don't intimidate him. He is doing the Lord's work, just as I am. |
| 11No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers. | 11Don'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. |
| 12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. | 12Now 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. |
| 13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. | 13Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. |
| 14Do everything in love. | 14And do everything with love. |
| 15You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord's people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, | 15You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God's people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, |
| 16to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. | 16to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion. |
| 17I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. | 17I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren't here to give me. |
| 18For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. | 18They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well. |
| 19The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. | 19The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. |
| 20All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. | 20All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with Christian love. |
| 21I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. | 21Here is my greeting in my own handwriting--Paul. |
| 22If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord! | 22If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come! |
| 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. | 23May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. |
| 24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen. | 24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All Rights Reserved. |
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