¹⁵ Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?^(A) The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.^(B)

²⁰ But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them,^(A) and on that day they will fast.

³⁵ But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them;^(A) in those days they will fast.”

¹⁹ What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us^(A) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.^(B)

Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good^(A)

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete^(B) was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint^[a] elders^(C) in every town, as I directed you.