1 Concerning the gathering for the Saintes, as I haue ordeined in the Churches of Galatia, so doe ye also. 2 Euery first day of the weeke, let euery one of you put aside by himselfe, and lay vp as God hath prospered him, that then there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I am come, whomsoeuer ye shall alowe by letters, them will I send to bring your liberalitie vnto Hierusalem. 4 And if it be meete that I goe also, they shall goe with me. 5 Nowe I will come vnto you, after I haue gone through Macedonia (for I will passe through Macedonia.) 6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, or winter with you, that ye may bring me on my way, whither soeuer I goe. 7 For I will not see you nowe in my passage, but I trust to abide a while with you, if the Lord permit. 8 And I wil tary at Ephesus vntill Pentecost. 9 For a great doore and effectuall is opened vnto me: and there are many aduersaries. 10 Nowe if Timotheus come, see that he be without feare with you: for he worketh the worke of the Lord, euen as I doe. 11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conuey him foorth in peace, that he may come vnto me: for I looke for him with the brethren. 12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him, to come vnto you with the brethren: but his mind was not at all to come at this time: howbeit he will come when he shall haue conuenient time. 13 Watch ye: stand fast in the faith: quite you like men, and be strong. 14 Let all your things be done in loue. 15 Nowe brethren, I beseeche you (ye knowe the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruites of Achaia, and that they haue giuen themselues to minister vnto the Saintes) 16 That ye be obedient euen vnto such, and to all that helpe with vs and labour. 17 I am glad of the comming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for they haue supplied the want of you. 18 For they haue comforted my spirite and yours: acknowledge therefore such men. 19 The Churches of Asia salute you: Aquila and Priscilla with ye Church that is in their house, salute you greatly in the Lord. 20 All the brethren greete you. Greete ye one another, with an holy kisse. 21 The salutation of me Paul with mine owne hand. 22 If any man loue not the Lord Iesus Christ, let him be had in execration maran-atha. 23 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you. 24 My loue be with you all in Christ Iesus, Amen. ‘The first Epistle to the Corinthians, written from Philippi, and sent by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timotheus.’
A Collection for God's People
1 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 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 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 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 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 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.