The Collection for the Saints (2 Corinthians 9:1–15)
1 UST I am now moving on to speak about the money that I am collecting for God’ s people{ who are Jewish}. I want you to do what I instructed the groups of believers{ who live} in the region of Galatia to do. BSB BSB: Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:
2 UST During each Sunday, every one of you should take some money out of whatever you have earned and save it. That way, I will not need to collect money when I visit you. BSB BSB: On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.
3 UST Choose some trustworthy people from your group. When I visit you, I will have them take the money{ that you have collected} to the city of Jerusalem. Also, I will give them letters{ that say that I have authorized them}. BSB BSB: Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
4 UST You and I may decide that I should go{ to Jerusalem} as well. In that case, the people{ whom you choose} will travel with me. BSB BSB: And if it is advisable for me to go also, they can travel with me.
Paul’s Travel Plans (Romans 15:23–33)
5 UST I am going to visit you after I travel through the region of Macedonia, which is the way I will be traveling. BSB BSB: After I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you; for I will be going through Macedonia.
6 UST In fact, I may spend some time with you, maybe the whole winter. That way, you can assist me in traveling to wherever I decide to go next. BSB BSB: Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.
7 UST { I am making these plans} because I would rather wait to be with you for a long time than visit you right now for just a short time. I confidently expect to do this as long as it is what the Lord wants{ me to do}. BSB BSB: For I do not want to see you now only in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
8 UST For now, I plan on remaining here in the city of Ephesus until the Pentecost festival. BSB BSB: But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,
9 UST { I am remaining here} because God has allowed me to effectively and freely proclaim the good news.{ Further, I need to resist} the large number of people who are working against me. BSB BSB: because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.
Timothy and Apollos (Philippians 2:19–30)
10 UST Whenever Timothy arrives{ in your city}, make sure that he feels safe when he is with you.{ You should do this} because he serves the Lord{ by proclaiming the good news}, just like I do. BSB BSB: If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
11 UST So, do not treat him disrespectfully. Rather, act in a friendly way by assisting him in traveling back to me.{ You should do this} because I anticipate that he will come back to me with the other believers{ who are traveling to visit me}. BSB BSB: No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers.
12 UST I am now moving on to speak about our fellow believer, Apollos. I firmly urged him to visit you with the other believers{ who were traveling to visit you}. However, he firmly decided that it was not the right time to visit you. Instead, he will visit you when he thinks that it is the right time. BSB BSB: Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
Concluding Exhortations 13 UST Watch out{ for what is wrong}! Firmly believe{ the good news}! Be courageous! Be determined! BSB BSB: Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
14 UST You should focus on loving others whenever you think or do anything. BSB BSB: Do everything in love.
15 UST You know that those who live in the house of Stephanas were the first people{ to believe the good news} in the region of Achaia. Further, they have chosen to serve God’ s people. I ask you, my fellow believers, BSB BSB: You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers,
16 UST to honor and obey them and other people like them. In fact,{ you should honor and obey} every person who works hard{ to proclaim the good news} with us. BSB BSB: to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.
17 UST I am happy that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus arrived here.{ That is} because they have allowed me to connect with you all even when you are not with me. BSB BSB: I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.
18 UST They encouraged and energized both me and you. Therefore, you should honor them and other people like them. BSB BSB: For they refreshed my spirit and yours as well. Show your appreciation, therefore, to such men.
Signature and Final Greetings (Colossians 4:15–18; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)
20 UST All the fellow believers{ who are with me} say hello to you. Welcome each other in a loving way. BSB BSB: All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 UST I, Paul, say hello{ to you}. I am writing{ these last words} myself{ instead of having my scribe write them}. BSB BSB: This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
22 UST May God curse everyone who fails to love the Lord. I pray that the Lord returns soon. BSB BSB: If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!
23 UST { I pray that} the Lord Jesus will be gracious to you. BSB BSB: The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 UST I continue to love all of you, since God has united us together with Jesus the Messiah. May it be so! BSB BSB: My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.