3. But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared;
4. otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we-not to speak of you-will be put to shame by this confidence.
5. So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.
6. Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.