9. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although he was rich, he became poor for our sakes, so that you could become rich through his poverty.
10. I’m giving you my opinion about this. It’s to your advantage to do this, since you not only started to do it last year but you wanted to do it too.
11. Now finish the job as well so that you finish it with as much enthusiasm as you started, given what you can afford.
12. A gift is appreciated because of what a person can afford, not because of what that person can’t afford, if it’s apparent that it’s done willingly.
13. It isn’t that we want others to have financial ease and you financial difficulties, but it’s a matter of equality.
14. At the present moment, your surplus can fill their deficit so that in the future their surplus can fill your deficit. In this way there is equality.
15. As it is written, The one who gathered more didn’t have too much, and the one who gathered less didn’t have too little.
16. But thank God, who put the same commitment that I have for you in Titus’ heart.
17. Not only has he accepted our challenge but he’s on his way to see you voluntarily, and he’s excited.
18. We are sending the brother who is famous in all the churches because of his work for the gospel along with him.
19. In addition to this, he is chosen by the churches to be our traveling companion in this work of grace, which we are taking care of for the sake of the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our desire to help.
20. We are trying to avoid being blamed by anyone for the way we take care of this large amount of money.
21. We care about doing the right thing, not only in the Lord’s eyes but also in the eyes of other people.
22. We are sending our brother with them. We have tested his commitment in many ways and many times. Now he’s even more committed, because he has so much confidence in you.
23. If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and coworker among you. If there is any question about our brothers, they are the churches’ apostles and an honor to Christ.