The Collection for the Saints

161 Now concerning the collection for the saints , as I directed the churches of Galatia , so do you also . 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside e and save , as he may prosper , so that no collections be made when I come . 3 When I arrive , whomever e you may approve , I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem ; 4 and if it is fitting for me to go also , they will go with me.

Plans for Travel

5 But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia , for I am going through Macedonia ; 6 and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter , so that you may send me on my way wherever e I may go . 7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing ; for I hope to remain with you for some time , if the Lord permits . 8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost ; 9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries .

10 Now if Timothy comes , see that he is with you without cause to be afraid , for he is doing the Lord's work , as I also am. 11 So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace , so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren . 12 But concerning Apollos our brother , I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren ; and it was not at all his desire to come now , but he will come when he has opportunity .

Final Greetings

13 Be on the alert , stand firm in the faith , act like men , be strong . 14 Let all that you do be done in love . 15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas , that they were the first fruits of Achaia , and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints ), 16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors . 17 I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus , because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours . Therefore acknowledge such men .

19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord , with the church that is in their house . 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss . 21 The greeting is in my own hand -Paul . 22 If anyone does not love the Lord , he is to be accursed . Maranatha . 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus . Amen .

Laborers Together with God

31 And I, brethren , could not speak to you as to spiritual men , but as to men of flesh , as to infants in Christ . 2 I gave you milk to drink , not solid food ; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed , even now you are not yet able , 3 for you are still fleshly . For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly , and are you not walking like mere men ? 4 For when one says , "I am of Paul ," and another , "I am of Apollos ," are you not mere men ?

5 What then is Apollos ? And what is Paul ? Servants through whom you believed , even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one . 6 I planted , Apollos watered , but God was causing the growth . 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything , but God who causes the growth . 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one ; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor . 9 For we are God's fellow workers ; you are God's field , God's building . 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation , and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.

11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid , which is Jesus Christ . 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold , silver , precious stones , wood , hay , straw , 13 each man's work will become evident ; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire , and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work . 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains , he will receive a reward . 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss ; but he himself will be saved , yet so as through fire .

16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the temple of God , God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy , and that is what you are.

18 Let no man deceive himself . If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age , he must become foolish , so that he may become wise . 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God . For it is written , "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS "; 20 and again , " THE Lord KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise , THAT THEY ARE USELESS ."

21 So then let no one boast in men . For all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come ; all things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ ; and Christ belongs to God .