10 And in this matter (A)I give my judgment: (B)this benefits you, who (C)a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable (D)according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply (E)their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, (F)“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Read full chapter

10 I am giving you my opinion on this matter because it will be helpful to you. Last year you were not only willing to do something, but had already started to do it. 11 Now finish what you began, so that your eagerness to do so may be matched by your eagerness[a] to complete it. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift[b] is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have.

13 Not that others should have relief while you have hardship. Rather, it is a question of fairness. 14 At the present time, your surplus fills their need, so that their surplus may fill your need. In this way things are fair. 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.”[c]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:11 Lit. matched as you contribute from what you have
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:12 Lit. it
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exod 16:18