⁷ But since you excel in everything^(A)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,^(B) 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,^(C) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. ⁹ For you know the grace^(D) of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(E) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,^(F) so that you through his poverty might become rich.^(G)

¹⁰ And here is my judgment^(H) 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.^{(I) 11} Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness^(J) 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,^(K) 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,^(L) 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](M)