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 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]

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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