Darovi za jeruzalemsku Crkvu
1Glede novca koji prikupljate za kršćane u Jeruzalemu, ravnajte se prema uputama koje sam dao crkvama u Galaciji. 2Svakoga prvog dana u tjednu neka svatko od vas odvoji novca, koliko može, da ne sabirete kad ja dođem. 3Kad dođem, napisat ću pisma preporuke onima koje odaberete da isporuče vaš milodar Jeruzalemu. 4Bude li prikladno da i ja pođem, možemo skupa putovati.
Posljednje Pavlove upute
5Doći ću k vama kad proputujem Makedoniju. Njome, naime, kanim samo proći. 6A kod vas ću se možda i zadržati ili čak zimovati, da me otpremite prema sljedećem odredištu. 7Ne bih htio da vas i ovaj put vidim samo u prolazu. Želim malo ostati kod vas ako mi to Gospodin dopusti. 8Do tada ću ovdje u Efezu ostati do blagdana Pedesetnice 9jer mi se pružila dobra prilika za uspješan rad, ali i protivnika je mnogo.
10Dođe li Timotej, pobrinite se da se radeći među vama ne mora ničega bojati jer, kao i ja, radi na Gospodnjem djelu. 11Nemojte da ga tko prezre. Pošaljite ga natrag k meni u miru jer ga iščekujem s ostalom braćom.
12A što se tiče brata Apolona, silno sam ga nagovarao da vas s drugom braćom posjeti, ali nikako mu sada nije bilo po volji ići. No posjetit će vas kad mu se pruži prigoda.
13Bdijte! Budite postojani u vjeri! Budite hrabri i jaki! 14Što god činili, činite u ljubavi.
15Znate Stefanine ukućane i znate da su oni prvi u Ahaji postali kršćanima te da su se posvetili posluživanju drugih kršćana.16:15 U grčkome: posluživanju svetih. Zaklinjem vas, braćo i sestre, 16da ih poštujete i budete im poslušni—kao i svima koji s njima surađuju i trude se. 17Veseli me Stefanina, Fortunatova i Ahajikova posjeta. Nadomjestili su mi vas koji niste ovdje. 18I mene su, kao i vas, umirili.16:18 U grčkome: umirili su moj i vaš duh. Cijenite stoga takve ljude.
Pavlovi posljednji pozdravi
19Pozdravljaju vas azijske crkve. Mnogo vas u Gospodinu pozdravljaju Akvila i Priska te Crkva koja se sastaje u njihovu domu. 20Pozdravljaju vas svi vjernici.16:20 U grčkome: sva braća. Pozdravite jedni druge svetim cjelovom.
21Pozdrav ću napisati vlastitom, Pavlovom rukom:
22Ako tko ne ljubi Gospodina, neka je proklet! Marana tha!16:22 U aramejskome: Dođi, Gospodine naš!
23Neka milost Gospodina Isusa bude s vama.
24Sve vas volim u Isusu Kristu.16:24 U nekim rukopisima na kraju stoji još: Amen.
The Collection for the Lord’s People
1Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
Personal Requests
5After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
10When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.
12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14Do everything in love.
15You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
Final Greetings
19The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla16:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
22If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord16:22 The Greek for Come, Lord reproduces an Aramaic expression (Marana tha) used by early Christians.!
23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.16:24 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.
