²That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.

³For according to their power (I bear them witness) and beyond their power, they were willing:

⁴With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.

⁵And not as we hoped: but they gave their own selves, first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God;

⁶Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that, as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.

⁷That as in all things you abound in faith and word and knowledge and all carefulness, moreover also in your charity towards us: so in this grace also you may abound.

⁸I speak not as commanding: but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.

⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor for your sakes: that through his poverty you might be rich.

¹⁰And herein I give my advice: for this is profitable for you who have begun not only to do but also to be willing, a year ago.

¹¹Now therefore perform ye it also in deed: that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.

¹²For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath: not according to that which he hath not.

¹³For I mean not that others should be eased and you burdened, but by an equality.

¹⁴In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want: that there may be an equality,

¹⁵As it is written: He that had much had nothing over; and he that had little had no want.

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2 Corinthians 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

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