⁷ But just as you ^(A)excel ^(B)in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the ^[a]love we inspired in you, see that you also ^(C)excel in this gracious work. ⁸ I ^(D)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 ^(E)the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ^(F)though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. ¹⁰ I ^(G)give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin ^(H)a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. ¹¹ But now finish ^[b]doing it also, so that just as there was the ^(I)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 ^(J)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 ^(K)their need, so that their abundance also may ^[c]serve as assistance for ^(L)your need, so that there may be equality; ¹⁵ as it is written: “^(M)The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”