¹⁶ But ^[a](A)thanks be to God who ^(B)puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of ^(C)Titus. ¹⁷ For he not only accepted our ^(D)plea, but being himself very earnest, he has gone out to you of his own accord. ¹⁸ And we have sent along with him ^(E)the brother whose praise in the things of the ^(F)gospel is throughout ^(G)all the churches. ^19 (H)And not only this, but he has also been ^(I)appointed by the churches to travel with us in ^(J)this gracious work that is being ministered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our ^(K)readiness, ^20 [b]taking precaution lest anyone discredits us in our ministering of this generous gift, ²¹ for we ^(L)respect what is good, not only in ^(M)the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. ²² And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found earnest in many things, but now even more earnest because of his great confidence in you. ²³ As for ^(N)Titus, he is my ^(O)partner and fellow worker ^[c]among you; as for our ^(P)brothers, they are ^[d](Q)messengers of the churches, ^(R)a glory to Christ. ²⁴ Therefore ^[e]openly before the churches, ^[f]show them the proof of your love and of our ^(S)reason for boasting about you.