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10 I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing. 11 But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have. 13 For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed, 14 but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”Exodus 16:18

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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