16Now concerning the collection for the saints: just as I gave directions about it to the churches of Galatia, so you do also. ²On the first day of the week, each one of you put aside^a something, saving up to whatever extent he has prospered^b, in order that whenever I come, at that time collections do not take place. ³And whenever I arrive, whomever you approve by letters, I will send these to take your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴And if it is worthwhile for me to go also, they will travel with me.

Travel Plans for Paul and Associates

⁵But I will come to you whenever I go through Macedonia (for I am going through Macedonia), ⁶and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. ⁷For I do not want to see you now in passing, for I hope to remain some time with you, if the Lord allows it. ⁸But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹for a great and effective door has opened for me, and there are many opponents.

¹⁰But if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to fear, for he is carrying out the Lord’s work, as I also am. ¹¹Therefore do not let anyone disdain him, but send him on his way in peace in order that he may come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

¹²Now concerning Apollos our brother, I urged him many times that he should come to you with the brothers, and he was not at all willing that he should come now, but he will come whenever he has an opportunity.

Concluding Exhortations

¹³Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act courageously, be strong. ¹⁴All your actions must be done in love.

¹⁵Now I urge you, brothers—you know about the household of Stephanas, that they are the first fruits of Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the ministry for the saints—¹⁶that you also be subject to such people, and to all those who work together and labor. ¹⁷Now I rejoice over the arrival of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because these make up for your absence, ¹⁸for they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.

Final Greetings and Benediction

¹⁹The churches of the province of Asia^c greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you in the Lord many times, together with the church in their house. ²⁰All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹The greeting is by my hand—Paul’s. ²²If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!^d

²³The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ²⁴My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

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Footnotes

aLiterally “put from himself”
bLiterally “whatever if anything he has been prospered”
cThat is, the Roman province of Asia, known today as Asia Minor
dThe Aramaic expression marana tha (“O Lord, come!”) can also be rendered maran atha (“our Lord has come”); it is used here by Paul without explanation