Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁸ I say this, not as commanding, but, seeing others are so fervent, to prove your love also, whether it be perfect or no. ⁹ You know the munificence of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, so that you through his poverty could be made rich.

¹⁰ And I give counsel in the matter because to do this is proper for you, who began not only to do, but also to will, a year ago. ¹¹ Now therefore perform the deed, so that as there was in you a ready willingness, so also you follow through, out of what you have. ¹² For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a person has, and not according to what he does not have.

¹³ It is not my mind that others be set at ease and you be burdened, ¹⁴ but, so that there be equality now at this time, that your abundance may relieve their lack, and that their abundance also hereafter may supply your lack – so that there may be equality, ¹⁵ agreeing to that which is written: He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack.