Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
9 Of course, I really do not need to write to you about the money to be given to God's people.
2 I know that you wanted to help. I am proud to tell the people of Macedonia about you. I tell them, `The people in Greece have been ready for a year.' And what you did has made most of them want to do something too.
3 But I am sending these brothers so that what we have said about you will be true in this way. I want you to be really ready with the gift, just as I said you would be.
4 If some men from Macedonia come with me and see that you are not ready, then we will be ashamed, and you too. We will be ashamed that we were so sure.
5 So I thought it would be good to send these brothers to you first. They will get this gift ready which you promised. Then it will be ready like a gift, and not as if you were forced to give it.
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