²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather ^(A)let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something ^(B)to give him who has need.

³³ I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ^34 [a]Yes, you yourselves know ^(A)that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. ³⁵ I have shown you in every way, ^(B)by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

⁵ For ^(A)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a ^[a]cloak for covetousness—^(B)God is witness. ^6 (C)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when ^(D)we might have ^(E)made demands ^(F)as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But ^(G)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased ^(H)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also ^(I)our own lives, because you had become dear to us. ⁹ For you remember, brethren, our ^(J)labor and toil; for laboring night and day, ^(K)that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

⁷ But as ^(A)you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see ^(B)that you abound in this grace also.

Christ Our Pattern

^8 (C)I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(D)that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become ^(E)rich.

^30 (A)Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. ^31 (B)And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

^32 (C)“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ^34 (D)And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. ³⁵ But ^(E)love your enemies, ^(F)do good, and ^(G)lend, ^[a]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and ^(H)you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. ^36 (I)Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

⁹ As it is written:

¹⁰ Now ^[a]may He who ^(B)supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, ^[b]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your ^(C)righteousness, ¹¹ while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, ^(D)which causes thanksgiving through us to God. ¹² For the administration of this service not only ^(E)supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, ¹³ while, through the proof of this ministry, they ^(F)glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal ^(G)sharing with them and all men, ¹⁴ and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding ^(H)grace of God in you.