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

10 Now I am giving an opinion on this because it is profitable for you, who a year ago began not only to do something but also to desire it.[a](A) 11 But now finish the task[b] as well, that just as there was eagerness to desire it, so there may also be a completion from what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.(B) 13 It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality[c] 14 at the present time your surplus is available for their need, so their abundance may also become available for our need, so there may be equality. 15 As it has been written:

The person who gathered much
did not have too much,
and the person who gathered little
did not have too little.(C)[d]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:10 Lit to will
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:11 Lit finish the doing
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:13 Lit but from equality
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Ex 16:18