¹⁴ I had boasted to him about you,^(A) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus^(B) has proved to be true as well.

²⁴ Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,^(A) so that the churches can see it.

² For I know your eagerness to help,^(A) and I have been boasting^(B) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year^(C) you in Achaia^(D) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³ But I am sending the brothers^(E) in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.^{(F) 4} For if any Macedonians^(G) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. ⁵ So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers^(H) to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift,^(I) not as one grudgingly given.^(J)

Generosity Encouraged

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.^{(K) 7} Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,^(L) not reluctantly or under compulsion,^(M) for God loves a cheerful giver.^{(N) 8} And God is able^(O) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,^(P) you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food^(S) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.^{(T) 11} You will be enriched^(U) in every way so that you can be generous^(V) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.^(W)

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(X) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{(Y) 13} Because of the service^(Z) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(AA) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(AB) of the gospel of Christ,^(AC) and for your generosity^(AD) in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God^(AE) for his indescribable gift!^(AF)

⁸ So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us^(A) for building you up rather than tearing you down,^(B) I will not be ashamed of it.