9 There is no need^(A) for me to write to you about this service^(B) to the Lord’s people.^(C)

⁹ Now about your love for one another^(A) we do not need to write to you,^(B) for you yourselves have been taught by God^(C) to love each other.^{(D) 10} And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia.^(E) Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,^(F)

¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good^(A) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family^(B) of believers.

⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing^(A) in this service^(B) to the Lord’s people.^{(C) 5} And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. ⁶ So we urged^(D) Titus,^(E) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion^(F) this act of grace on your part. ⁷ But since you excel in everything^(G)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,^(H) 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,^(I) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. ⁹ For you know the grace^(J) of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(K) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,^(L) so that you through his poverty might become rich.^(M)

¹⁰ And here is my judgment^(N) 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.^{(O) 11} Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness^(P) 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,^(Q) 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,^(R) 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](S)

²⁷ As for you, the anointing^(A) you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things^(B) and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.^(C)

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates^(A) we do not need to write to you,^(B)

¹⁰ All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,^(A) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(A) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{(B) 13} Because of the service^(C) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(D) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(E) of the gospel of Christ,^(F) and for your generosity^(G) 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.

Psalm 45^[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.^[b] A wedding song.^(A)