²⁴ Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,^(A) so that the churches can see it.

¹⁴ I had boasted to him about you,^(A) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus^(B) has proved to be true as well.

⁴ I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.^(A) I am greatly encouraged;^(B) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.^(C)

² For I know your eagerness to help,^(A) and I have been boasting^(B) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year^(C) you in Achaia^(D) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³ But I am sending the brothers^(E) 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.^{(F) 4} For if any Macedonians^(G) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.

⁸ I am not commanding you,^(A) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.