2 Corinthians 8:16–9:5
Arrangements for Administering the Corinthians’ Gift
16 But thanks be to God, who has put in the heart of Titus the same devotion ⌊on your behalf⌋d, 17 because he not only welcomed our request, but being very earnest, by his own choice he went out* to you. 18 And we have sent at the same time with him the brother whose praise in the gospel has become known throughout all the churches. 19 And not only this, but he was also chosen by the churches as our traveling companion together with this gift that is being administered by us to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help. 20 We are trying to avoid this, lest anyone should find fault with us in this abundant gift that is being administered by us. 21 For we are taking into consideration what is honorable not only before the Lord, but also before people. 22 And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times in many things that he is diligent, but now much more diligent because of his great confidence in you. 23 If there is a question concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. If there is a question concerning our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show to them the proof of your love and our boasting about you ⌊openly before⌋e the churches.
9 For it is unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the ministry to the saints, 2 because I know your readiness to help, concerning which I keep on boasting to the Macedonians about you, that Achaia has been ready to help since last year, and your zeal has stirred up the majority of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you would not prove to be empty in this case, so that you may be prepared just as I was saying, 4 lest somehow if Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared, we—⌊not to speak of you⌋a—would be humiliated in connection with this project. 5 Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they should go on ahead to you and make arrangements in advance for your generous gift that was promised previously, so this would be prepared as a generous gift and not as grudgingly granted.