12. For if the eagerness is present according to what one has, it is acceptable not according to what one does not have.
13. For this is not that for others there may be relief, and for you difficult circumstances, but as a matter of equality.
14. At the present time your abundance will be for their need, in order that their abundance may also be for your need, so that there may be equality,
15. just as it is written, “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
16. But thanks be to God, who has put in the heart of Titus the same devotion on your behalf,
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.