¹⁰ They also honored us greatly,^[a] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

^6 (A)Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, ^(B)though we could have made ^(C)demands as ^(D)apostles of Christ.

¹⁹ And my God ^(A)will supply every need of yours ^(B)according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be ^(A)content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and ^(B)hunger, abundance and ^(C)need.

³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For ^(A)the Gentiles seek after all these things, and ^(B)your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But ^(C)seek first ^(D)the kingdom of God and his righteousness, ^(E)and all these things will be added to you.

^34 (F)“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

¹⁷ Let the elders ^(A)who rule well be considered worthy of ^(B)double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, ^(C)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, ^(D)“The laborer deserves his wages.”

³ Honor widows ^(A)who are truly widows. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn ^(B)to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for ^(C)this is pleasing in the sight of God.

⁵ So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the ^(A)gift^[a] you have promised, so that it may be ready ^(B)as a willing gift, ^(C)not as an exaction.^[b]

The Cheerful Giver

⁶ The point is this: ^(D)whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully^[c] will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, ^(E)not reluctantly or under compulsion, for ^(F)God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And ^(G)God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency^[d] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written,

¹⁰ He who supplies ^(I)seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and ^(J)increase the harvest of your righteousness. ^11 (K)You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which ^(L)through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and ^(A)their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave ^(B)according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴ begging us earnestly ^(C)for the favor^[a] of taking part in ^(D)the relief of the saints— ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they ^(E)gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶ Accordingly, ^(F)we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you ^(G)this act of grace.