Titus Sent to Receive the Collection

¹⁶ Thanks be to God,^(A) who put into the heart^(B) of Titus^(C) 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.^{(D) 18} And we are sending along with him the brother^(E) who is praised by all the churches^(F) for his service to the gospel.^{(G) 19} What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us^(H) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.^{(I) 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.^(J)

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,^(K) he is my partner^(L) and co-worker^(M) among you; as for our brothers,^(N) 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,^(O) so that the churches can see it.

9 There is no need^(P) for me to write to you about this service^(Q) to the Lord’s people.^{(R) 2} For I know your eagerness to help,^(S) and I have been boasting^(T) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year^(U) you in Achaia^(V) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³ But I am sending the brothers^(W) 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.^{(X) 4} For if any Macedonians^(Y) 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^(Z) 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,^(AA) not as one grudgingly given.^(AB)

Generosity Encouraged

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

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food^(AK) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.^{(AL) 11} You will be enriched^(AM) in every way so that you can be generous^(AN) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.^(AO)

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(AP) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{(AQ) 13} Because of the service^(AR) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(AS) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(AT) of the gospel of Christ,^(AU) and for your generosity^(AV) 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^(AW) for his indescribable gift!^(AX)