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Instructions and Greetings

¹ Now concerning ^(C1)the money collected for the relief of ^(C2)the saints in Jerusalem, you are to do the same as ^(C3)I directed the churches of ^(C4)Galatia to do.² On ^(C1)the first day of every week each one of you is to put something aside, in proportion to his prosperity, and save it so that ^(C2)no collections will need to be made when I come.³ When I arrive, I will send ^(C1)whomever you approve with letters of authorization to take your gift of charity and love to Jerusalem;⁴ and if it is fitting for me to go too, they will accompany me.

⁵ I ^(C1)will visit you after I go through ^(C2)Macedonia, for I am only ^(C3)passing through Macedonia;⁶ but it may be that I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you may ^(C1)send me on my way to wherever I may go afterward.⁷ For I do not wish to see you right now ^(C1)just in passing, but I hope to remain with you for some time later on, ^(C2)if the Lord permits.⁸ But I will stay in ^(C1)Ephesus until ^(F1)(C2)Pentecost,⁹ because a ^(C1)wide door for effective service has opened to me in Ephesus, a very promising opportunity, and ^(C2)there are many adversaries. ^(VR1)

¹⁰ If ^(C1)Timothy comes, see to it that you put him at ease, so that he has nothing to fear in regard to you, for he is devotedly doing ^(C2)the Lord's work, just as I am.^11 (C1)So allow no one to treat him with disdain as if he were inconsequential. But ^(C2)send him off cordially, and speed him on his way ^(C3)in peace, so that he may come to me, for I am expecting him to come along with the other brothers.

¹² As for our brother ^(C1)Apollos, I have strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers. It was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has the opportunity.

^13 (C1)Be on guard; ^(C2)stand firm in your faith in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound. ^(C3)Act like mature men and be courageous; ^(C4)be strong. ^(VR1)14 Let everything you do be done ^(C1)in love motivated and inspired by God's love for us.

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters, you know that those of the ^(C1)household of Stephanas were the ^(C2)first converts in ^(C3)Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ^(C4)ministry to ^(F1)(C5)God's people—now I urge you^16 (C1)to be subject to such leaders treating them with courtesy and respect, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors for the benefit of yourselves and the church.¹⁷ I rejoice because Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus ^(C1)have arrived, for they have made up for ^(C2)your absence.¹⁸ They ^(C1)have refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So ^(C2)fully acknowledge such men and deeply appreciate them.

¹⁹ The churches of ^(C1)Asia send you their greetings. ^(C2)Aquila and Prisca, together with ^(C3)the church that meets in their house, send you their warm greetings in the Lord.²⁰ All the believers greet you. ^(C1)Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ This greeting is in ^(C1)my own hand—Paul.²² If anyone does not love the Lord does not obey and respect and believe in Jesus Christ and His message, he is to be ^(C1)accursed. ^(C2)Maranatha (O our Lord, come)!^23 (C1)The grace of our Lord Jesus His unmerited favor, His spiritual blessing, His profound mercy be with you.²⁴ My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.