10 And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it.(A) 11 Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.(B) 13 It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality.[a] 14 At the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may in turn meet your need, in order that there may be equality. 15 As it is written: The person who had much did not have too much, and the person who had little did not have too little.[b](C)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:13 Lit but from equality
  2. 8:15 Ex 16:18

10 I (A)give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin (B)a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish [a]doing it also, so that just as there was the (C)willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12 For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable (D)according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality— 14 at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for (E)their need, so that their abundance also may [b]serve as assistance for (F)your need, so that there may be equality; 15 as it is written: “(G)The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:11 Lit the doing
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:14 Lit become

10 And here is my judgment(A) 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.(B) 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness(C) 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,(D) 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,(E) 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.”[a](F)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18