And we sent together with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,

and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches as our traveling companion with this gift, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and [to show] our readiness--

And Jacob said, If I have found grace in your sight, receive the gifts through my hands; therefore have I seen your face, as if anyone should see the face of God, and you shall be well-pleased with me.

Receive my blessings, which I have brought you, because God has had mercy on me, and I have all things; and he urged him, and he took [them].

And he and all his company returned to Elisha, and he came and stood before him, and said, Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth, save only in Israel; and now receive a blessing from your servant.

And Elisha said, [As] the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will not take [anything]. And he pressed him to take [something]; but he would not.

And when she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us.

But when I arrive, [those] whom ever you approve by letters, these I will send to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.

But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you;

Because the ministry of this service not only is supplying the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

And whoever gives one of these little [ones] only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."

"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.'

"Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and we did not minister to You?'

"Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, neither did you do it to Me.'

For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you are able to do them good; but you do not always have Me.

Therefore Jesus, seeing His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!"

Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her into his own [care].

Now in those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint from the Greek speaking Jews against the Aramaic speaking Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

Therefore, brothers, select seven men from among you, of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint for this need.

And the word was pleasing before all the congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

And the word of God was growing, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was being multiplied exceedingly, and a great many of the priests were obeying the faith.

And arising, Peter went with them. When he arrived, they took him into the upper room, and all the widows stood beside him weeping, showing [him] tunics and cloaks which Dorcas was making, [while] being with them.

And giving to her his hand, he raised her up; and when he called the saints and the widows, he presented her living.

Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined as a ministry to send relief to the brothers dwelling in Judea;

And after many years I arrived to bring alms and offerings to my nation,

But now I am traveling to Jerusalem ministering to the saints.

For Macedonia and Achaia thought it good to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

Now concerning the collection which is for the saints, as I directed to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:

But when I arrive, [those] whom ever you approve by letters, these I will send to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.

But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

I urge you, brothers (you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints)

only they desired that we should remember the poor, which indeed I made every effort to do this very thing.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those who are of the household of faith.

having a reputation for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

that the sharing of your faith may become effective in full knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

By this we have come to know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives in behalf of our brothers.

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.