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.’
The Offering for Needy Believers
1 Now, concerning what you wrote about the money to be raised to help God's people in Judea. You must do what I told the churches in Galatia to do. 2 Every Sunday each of you must put aside some money, in proportion to what you have earned, and save it up, so that there will be no need to collect money when I come. 3 After I come, I shall give letters of introduction to those you have approved, and send them to take your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems worthwhile for me to go, then they can go along with me.
Paul's Plans
5 I shall come to you after I have gone through Macedonia—for I have to go through Macedonia. 6 I shall probably spend some time with you, perhaps the whole winter, and then you can help me to continue my trip, wherever it is I shall go next. 7 I want to see you more than just briefly in passing; I hope to spend quite a long time with you, if the Lord allows.
8 I will stay here in Ephesus until the day of Pentecost. 9 There is a real opportunity here for great and worthwhile work, even though there are many opponents.
10 If Timothy comes your way, be sure to make him feel welcome among you, because he is working for the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one should look down on him, but you must help him continue his trip in peace, so that he will come back to me; for I am expecting him back with the believers.
12 Now, about brother Apollos. I have often encouraged him to visit you with the other believers, but he is not completely convinced that he should go at this time. When he gets the chance, however, he will go.
Final Words
13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Do all your work in love.
15 You know about Stephanas and his family; they are the first Christian converts in Achaia and have given themselves to the service of God's people. I beg you, my friends, 16 to follow the leadership of such people as these, and of anyone else who works and serves with them.
17 I am happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; they have made up for your absence 18 and have cheered me up, just as they cheered you up. Such men as these deserve notice.
19 The churches in the province of Asia send you their greetings; Aquila and Priscilla and the church that meets in their house send warm Christian greetings. 20 All the believers here send greetings.
Greet one another with the kiss of peace.
21 With my own hand I write this: Greetings from Paul.
22 Whoever does not love the Lord—a curse on him!
Marana tha—Our Lord, come!
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.