1 Now about the contribution for God's people, I want you to do as I directed the churches of Galatia to do.
2 On the first day of every week each of you must put aside and store up something in proportion as he is prospered, so that no contributions need be made when I come back.
3 When I get there, I will send on, with credentials, the persons whom you approve, to carry your gift of charity to Jerusalem.
4 And if it seems proper for me to go too, they shall go as my companions.
5 I will come to see you after I pass through Macedonia -- for I am to pass through Macedonia --
6 and I shall likely stay over with you some time, or maybe spend the winter with you, so that you may help me on to whatever points I may visit.
7 I do not want to see you right now in a mere stop-over visit, for later I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits me.
8 But I shall stay on in Ephesus until the time of Harvest Feast.
9 For I have an opportunity here that is great and calls for work, and it has many opponents.
10 If Timothy gets there, see that he is at ease among you, for he is devotedly doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
11 So no one must slight him at all. But send him on with your goodbye, that he may come back to me, for I am expecting him with the other brothers.
12 As for our brother Apollos, I have earnestly urged him to go to see you, but he is not at all inclined to come just now; yet he is coming when he has a good opportunity.
13 Be always on your guard; stand firm in your faith; keep on acting like men; continue to grow in strength;
14 let everything be done in love.
15 Now I beg you, brothers -- you know that the family of Stephanas were the first converts in Greece, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of God's people --
16 I beg you to put yourselves under leaders like these, and under anyone who cooperates with you, and labors hard.
17 And I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come to see me, because they have supplied what you lacked.
18 Yes, they have cheered my spirit, and yours too. You must deeply appreciate such men.