The Collection for the Saints

161 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the assemblies of Galatia, so do ye do also. 2 On [the] first of [the] week let each of you put by at home, laying up [in] whatever [degree] he may have prospered, that there may be no collections when I come. 3 And when I am arrived, whomsoever ye shall approve, these I will send with letters to carry your bounty to Jerusalem: 4 and if it be suitable that I also should go, they shall go with me.

Plans for Travel

5 But I will come to you when I shall have gone through Macedonia; for I do go through Macedonia. 6 But perhaps I will stay with you, or even winter with you, that ye may set me forward wheresoever I may go. 7 For I will not see you now in passing, for I hope to remain a certain time with you, if the Lord permit. 8 But I remain in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great door is opened to me and an effectual [one], and [the] adversaries many.

10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear; for he works the work of the Lord, even as I. 11 Let not therefore any one despise him; but set him forward in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren. 12 Now concerning the brother Apollos, I begged him much that he would go to you with the brethren; but it was not at all [his] will to go now; but he will come when he shall have good opportunity.

Final Greetings

13 Be vigilant; stand fast in the faith; quit yourselves like men; be strong. 14 Let all things ye do be done in love. 15 But I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits of Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the saints for service,) 16 that ye should also be subject to such, and to every one joined in the work and labouring. 17 But I rejoice in 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: own therefore such.

19 The assemblies of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla, with the assembly in their house, salute you much in [the] Lord. 20 All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss. 21 The salutation of [me] Paul with my own hand. 22 If any one love not the Lord [Jesus Christ] let him be Anathema Maranatha. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. 24 My love [be] with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Laborers Together with God

31 And I, brethren, have not been able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly; as to babes in Christ. 2 I have given you milk to drink, not meat, for ye have not yet been able, nor indeed are ye yet able; 3 for ye are yet carnal. For whereas [there are] among you emulation and strife, are ye not carnal, and walk according to man? 4 For when one says, I am of Paul, and another, I of Apollos, are ye not men?

5 Who then is Apollos, and who Paul? Ministering servants, through whom ye have believed, and as the Lord has given to each. 6 I have planted; Apollos watered; but God has given the increase. 7 So that neither the planter is anything, nor the waterer; but God the giver of the increase. 8 But the planter and the waterer are one; but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are God's fellow-workmen; ye are God's husbandry, God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which has been given to me, as a wise architect, I have laid the foundation, but another builds upon it. But let each see how he builds upon it.

11 For other foundation can no man lay besides that which [is] laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any one build upon [this] foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw, 13 the work of each shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare [it], because it is revealed in fire; and the fire shall try the work of each what it is. 14 If the work of any one which he has built upon [the foundation] shall abide, he shall receive a reward. 15 If the work of any one shall be consumed, he shall suffer loss, but he shall be saved, but so as through [the] fire.

16 Do ye not know that ye are [the] temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any one corrupt the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.

18 Let no one deceive himself: if any one thinks himself to be wise among you in this world, let him become foolish, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, He who takes the wise in their craftiness. 20 And again, [The] Lord knows the reasonings of the wise that they are vain.

21 So that let no one boast in men; for all things are yours. 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or [the] world, or life, or death, or things present, or things coming, all are yours; 23 and ye [are] Christ's, and Christ [is] God's.