For if there be first a willing mind, {it is} accepted according to that a man hath, {and} not according to that he hath not.

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. {liberality: Gr. simplicity}

Only {they would} that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

{Let your} conversation {be} without covetousness; {and be} content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing {to answer}.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. {neither...: or, live not in careful suspense}

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. {with...: or, in the church}

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. {upon...: Heb. upon the face of the waters}

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

For God {is} not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and {there is} that withholdeth more than is meet, but {it tendeth} to poverty.

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: {yea, though he be} a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. {fallen...: Heb. his hand faileth} {relieve: Heb. strengthen}

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all {men}, as every man had need.

Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

For to {their} power, I bear record, yea, and beyond {their} power {they were} willing of themselves;

Only {they would} that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

I am come into my garden, my sister, {my} spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. {yea...: or, and be drunken with loves}

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled {their} ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. {ministry: or, charge}

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and {take upon us} the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

If I have withheld the poor from {their} desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; {willing...: or, sociable}

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all {things}. {maketh...: Heb. maketh glad the life}

And he called {unto him} his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. {of...: or, as you are able}

Therefore when thou doest {thine} alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. {do not...: or, cause not a trumpet to be sounded}

And likewise he that {had received} two, he also gained other two.

But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand. {stand: or, be established}