⁴ lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this ^[a]confident boasting.

¹⁷ What I speak, ^(A)I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

² for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a ^(A)year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.

²⁴ Therefore show to them, ^[a]and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our ^(A)boasting on your behalf.

Excel in Giving

8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: ² that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and ^(A)their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. ³ For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, ⁴ imploring us with much urgency ^[a]that we would receive the gift and ^(B)the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ⁵ And not only as we had hoped, but they first ^(C)gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the ^(D)will of God.

²⁶ For ^(A)it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.