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2 Corinthians 7-10
New Living Translation

7 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

2 Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. 3 I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you. 4 I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

5 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. 6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 12 My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us. 13 We have been greatly encouraged by this.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind[a] at ease. 14 I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! 15 Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect. 16 I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.

A Call to Generous Giving

8 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters,[b] what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.[c] 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us[d]—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.

9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say,

“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
    and those who gathered only a little had enough.”[e]

Titus and His Companions

16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem[f]—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.

20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.

22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. 23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches,[g] and they bring honor to Christ. 24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

9 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.[h] 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece[i] were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.

3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”[j] 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
    Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”[k]

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity[l] in you.

11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem[m] will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift[n] too wonderful for words!

Paul Defends His Authority

10 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 [o]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

7 Look at the obvious facts.[p] Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.

12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”[q]

18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Footnotes

  1. 7:13 Greek his spirit.
  2. 8:1 Greek brothers.
  3. 8:4 Greek for God’s holy people.
  4. 8:7 Some manuscripts read your love for us.
  5. 8:15 Exod 16:18.
  6. 8:19 See 1 Cor 16:3-4.
  7. 8:23 Greek are apostles of the churches.
  8. 9:1 Greek about the offering for God’s holy people.
  9. 9:2 Greek in Achaia, the southern region of the Greek peninsula. Macedonia was in the northern region of Greece.
  10. 9:7 See footnote on Prov 22:8.
  11. 9:9 Ps 112:9.
  12. 9:10 Greek righteousness.
  13. 9:12 Greek of God’s holy people.
  14. 9:15 Greek his gift.
  15. 10:4 English translations divide verses 4 and 5 in various ways.
  16. 10:7 Or You look at things only on the basis of appearance.
  17. 10:17 Jer 9:24.
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2 Corinthians 7-10
New American Standard Bible

Paul Reveals His Heart

7 Therefore, having these promises, (A)beloved, (B)let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 (C)Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said (D)before that you are (E)in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 My (F)confidence [a]in you is great; my (G)boasting in your behalf is great. I am filled with (H)comfort; I am overflowing with (I)joy in all our affliction.

5 For even when we came into (J)Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were (K)afflicted on every side: (L)conflicts on the outside, fears inside. 6 But (M)God, who comforts the [b]discouraged, (N)comforted us by the arrival of (O)Titus; 7 and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted among you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For though I (P)caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— 9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything [c]through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a (Q)repentance [d]without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this [e]godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what (R)longing, what zeal, what (S)punishment of wrong! In everything you (T)demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. 12 So although (U)I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of (V)the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness in our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God. 13 Because of this, we have been (W)comforted.

And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of (X)Titus, because his (Y)spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For if I have (Z)boasted to him about you regarding anything, I was not put to shame. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before (AA)Titus proved to be the truth. 15 His [f]affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the (AB)obedience of you all, how you received him with (AC)fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice that in everything (AD)I have confidence in you.

Great Generosity

8 Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been (AE)given in the churches of (AF)Macedonia, 2 that in a [g]great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the (AG)wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that (AH)according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily, 4 begging us with much urging for the (AI)favor [h]of participation in the [i](AJ)support of the [j]saints, 5 and this, not as we had [k]expected, but they first (AK)gave themselves to the Lord and to us by (AL)the will of God. 6 So we (AM)urged (AN)Titus that as he had previously (AO)made a beginning, so he would also complete in you (AP)this gracious work as well.

7 But just as you (AQ)excel (AR)in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the [l]love we inspired in you, see that you also (AS)excel in this gracious work. 8 I (AT)am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well. 9 For you know (AU)the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that (AV)though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10 I (AW)give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin (AX)a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish [m]doing it also, so that just as there was the (AY)willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12 For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable (AZ)according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality— 14 at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for (BA)their need, so that their abundance also may [n]serve as assistance for (BB)your need, so that there may be equality; 15 as it is written: “(BC)The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”

16 But (BD)thanks be to God who (BE)puts the same earnestness in your behalf in the heart of (BF)Titus. 17 For he not only accepted our (BG)appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord. 18 We have sent along with him (BH)the brother whose fame in the things of the (BI)gospel has spread through (BJ)all the churches; 19 (BK)and not only that, but he has also been (BL)appointed by the churches to travel with us in (BM)this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our (BN)readiness, 20 [o]taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; 21 for we (BO)have regard for what is honorable, not only in (BP)the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of other people. 22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for (BQ)Titus, he is my (BR)partner and fellow worker [p]among you; as for our (BS)brothers, they are [q](BT)messengers of the churches, (BU)a glory to Christ. 24 Therefore, [r]openly before the churches, [s]show them the proof of your love and of our (BV)reason for boasting about you.

God Gives Most

9 For (BW)it is superfluous for me to write to you about this (BX)ministry to the [t]saints; 2 for I know your willingness, of which I (BY)boast about you to the (BZ)Macedonians, namely, that (CA)Achaia has been prepared since (CB)last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I have sent the brothers, in order that our (CC)boasting about you may not prove empty in this case, so that, (CD)as I was saying, you will be prepared; 4 otherwise, if any (CE)Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to mention you—would be put to shame by this confidence. 5 So I considered it necessary to urge the (CF)brothers that they go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously promised [u](CG)generous gift, that the same would be ready as a [v](CH)generous gift, and not as one grudgingly given due to greediness.

6 Now I say this: (CI)the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows [w]generously will also reap [x]generously. 7 Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not (CJ)reluctantly or under compulsion, for (CK)God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And (CL)God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written:

“(CM)He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness [y]endures forever.”

10 Now He who supplies (CN)seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and (CO)increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be (CP)enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing (CQ)thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying (CR)the needs of the [z]saints, but is also overflowing (CS)through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this (CT)ministry, they will (CU)glorify God for your obedience to your (CV)confession of the (CW)gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your [aa]contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 (CX)Thanks be to God for His indescribable (CY)gift!

Paul Confronts the Corinthians

10 Now (CZ)I, Paul, myself (DA)urge you by the (DB)meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who (DC)am [ab]meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 I ask that (DD)when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I intend to be courageous against (DE)some, who regard us as if we walked (DF)according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle (DG)according to the flesh, 4 for the (DH)weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but [ac]divinely powerful (DI)for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying arguments and all (DJ)arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the (DK)obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever (DL)your obedience is complete.

7 [ad](DM)You are looking at [ae]things as they are outwardly. (DN)If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, have him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, (DO)so too are we. 8 For if (DP)I boast somewhat [af]more about our (DQ)authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 9 [ag]for I do not want to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his [ah]personal presence is (DR)unimpressive and (DS)his speech contemptible.” 11 Have such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.

12 For we do not presume to rank or compare ourselves with [ai]some of those who (DT)commend themselves; but when they [aj]measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they have no understanding. 13 But we will not boast (DU)beyond our measure, but [ak](DV)within the measure of the [al]domain which God assigned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for (DW)we were the first to come even as far as you in the (DX)gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting (DY)beyond our measure, that is, in (DZ)other people’s labors, but with the hope that as (EA)your faith grows, we will be, [am]within our [an]domain, (EB)enlarged even more by you, 16 so as to (EC)preach the gospel even to (ED)the regions beyond you, and not to boast [ao](EE)in what has been accomplished in the domain of another. 17 But (EF)the one who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18 For it is not the one who (EG)commends himself that is approved, but the one (EH)whom the Lord commends.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 7:4 Lit toward
  2. 2 Corinthians 7:6 Or lowly
  3. 2 Corinthians 7:9 Lit from
  4. 2 Corinthians 7:10 Or leading to a salvation without regret
  5. 2 Corinthians 7:11 Lit sorrow according to God
  6. 2 Corinthians 7:15 Lit inward parts
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:2 Or severe test of
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:4 Lit and
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:4 Lit service to the saints
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:4 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  11. 2 Corinthians 8:5 Lit hoped
  12. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Lit love from us in you; one early ms love from you in us
  13. 2 Corinthians 8:11 Lit the doing
  14. 2 Corinthians 8:14 Lit become
  15. 2 Corinthians 8:20 Lit avoiding this
  16. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Lit for you
  17. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Lit apostles
  18. 2 Corinthians 8:24 Lit in the face of the churches
  19. 2 Corinthians 8:24 Or show the proof...for boasting about you to them
  20. 2 Corinthians 9:1 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  21. 2 Corinthians 9:5 Lit blessing
  22. 2 Corinthians 9:5 Lit blessing
  23. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Lit with blessings
  24. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Lit with blessings
  25. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Lit remains
  26. 2 Corinthians 9:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  27. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Or sharing with them
  28. 2 Corinthians 10:1 Lit lowly
  29. 2 Corinthians 10:4 Or mighty before God
  30. 2 Corinthians 10:7 Or Look at... or Do you look at...?
  31. 2 Corinthians 10:7 Lit what is before your face
  32. 2 Corinthians 10:8 Or more abundantly
  33. 2 Corinthians 10:9 Lit so that I may not seem
  34. 2 Corinthians 10:10 Lit bodily presence is weak
  35. 2 Corinthians 10:12 Or any
  36. 2 Corinthians 10:12 I.e., evaluate
  37. 2 Corinthians 10:13 Lit according to the measure
  38. 2 Corinthians 10:13 Or assignment; lit standard
  39. 2 Corinthians 10:15 Lit according to our
  40. 2 Corinthians 10:15 See note 2 v 13
  41. 2 Corinthians 10:16 Lit to the things prepared in the
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2 Corinthians 7-10
New International Version

7 Therefore, since we have these promises,(A) dear friends,(B) let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness(C) out of reverence for God.

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

2 Make room for us in your hearts.(D) We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts(E) that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.(F) I am greatly encouraged;(G) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.(H)

5 For when we came into Macedonia,(I) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn(J)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.(K) 6 But God, who comforts the downcast,(L) comforted us by the coming of Titus,(M) 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,(N) I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation(O) and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,(P) what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you,(Q) it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong(R) nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus(S) was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you,(T) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus(U) has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient,(V) receiving him with fear and trembling.(W) 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.(X)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian(Y) churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(Z) 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(AA) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(AB) in this service(AC) to the Lord’s people.(AD) 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged(AE) Titus,(AF) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion(AG) this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything(AH)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,(AI) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you,(AJ) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace(AK) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(AL) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(AM) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(AN)

10 And here is my judgment(AO) about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.(AP) 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness(AQ) to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,(AR) not according to what one does not have.

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,(AS) so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”[b](AT)

Titus Sent to Receive the Collection

16 Thanks be to God,(AU) who put into the heart(AV) of Titus(AW) the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.(AX) 18 And we are sending along with him the brother(AY) who is praised by all the churches(AZ) for his service to the gospel.(BA) 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us(BB) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.(BC) 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.(BD)

22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus,(BE) he is my partner(BF) and co-worker(BG) among you; as for our brothers,(BH) they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,(BI) so that the churches can see it.

9 There is no need(BJ) for me to write to you about this service(BK) to the Lord’s people.(BL) 2 For I know your eagerness to help,(BM) and I have been boasting(BN) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year(BO) you in Achaia(BP) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers(BQ) in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.(BR) 4 For if any Macedonians(BS) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers(BT) to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift,(BU) not as one grudgingly given.(BV)

Generosity Encouraged

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.(BW) 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,(BX) not reluctantly or under compulsion,(BY) for God loves a cheerful giver.(BZ) 8 And God is able(CA) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,(CB) you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts(CC) to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”[c](CD)

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food(CE) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.(CF) 11 You will be enriched(CG) in every way so that you can be generous(CH) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.(CI)

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs(CJ) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.(CK) 13 Because of the service(CL) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God(CM) for the obedience that accompanies your confession(CN) of the gospel of Christ,(CO) and for your generosity(CP) in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God(CQ) for his indescribable gift!(CR)

Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

10 By the humility and gentleness(CS) of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul,(CT) who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold(CU) as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.(CV) 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.(CW) 4 The weapons we fight with(CX) are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power(CY) to demolish strongholds.(CZ) 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,(DA) and we take captive every thought to make it obedient(DB) to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.(DC)

7 You are judging by appearances.[d](DD) If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ,(DE) they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do.(DF) 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us(DG) for building you up rather than tearing you down,(DH) I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive(DI) and his speaking amounts to nothing.”(DJ) 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.

12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.(DK) When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us,(DL) a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you(DM) with the gospel of Christ.(DN) 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits(DO) by boasting of work done by others.(DP) Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,(DQ) our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel(DR) in the regions beyond you.(DS) For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[e](DT) 18 For it is not the one who commends himself(DU) who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.(DV)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts and in your love for us
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18
  3. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9
  4. 2 Corinthians 10:7 Or Look at the obvious facts
  5. 2 Corinthians 10:17 Jer. 9:24
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