⁵ So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

¹⁷ Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you.

¹² Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

³ For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. ⁴ They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.^[a]

⁹ The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.