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

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(F) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{(G) 13} Because of the service^(H) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(I) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(J) of the gospel of Christ,^(K) and for your generosity^(L) 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^(M) for his indescribable gift!^(N)

Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

10 By the humility and gentleness^(O) of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul,^(P) 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^(Q) as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.^{(R) 3} For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.^{(S) 4} The weapons we fight with^(T) are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power^(U) to demolish strongholds.^{(V) 5} We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,^(W) and we take captive every thought to make it obedient^(X) to Christ. ⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.^(Y)