⁴ For if any Macedonians^(A) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.

¹⁷ In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would,^(A) but as a fool.^(B)

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.

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.

The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian^(A) churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.^{(B) 3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,^(C) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing^(D) in this service^(E) to the Lord’s people.^{(F) 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.

²⁶ For Macedonia^(A) and Achaia^(B) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.^(C)