6. So that it was necessary for us to urge Titos that as he began and made a haschala (start) before, so he should complete among you also this mitzvah of avodas kodesh of the Chen v'Chesed Hashem.
7. Now just as you abound in everything --in emunah, in torah, in da'as [1C 1:5] and in all zerizut (diligence) and in our ahavah (love) for you--see also that you excel in this Chen v'Chesed Hashem. [1C 16:1 2]
8. I do not lay this out as a mitzvah, but the sincerity of your ahavah I am testing against the zerizut of others,
9. For you have da'as of the Chen v'Chesed of Adoneinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, who, though being rich, for your sakes, he became poor, [Mt 8:20; Pp 2:6-7] that you by Moshiach's oni (poverty) may become rich.
10. And in this I give my etza (advice): it is tov me'od that last shanah you were the first not only to give tzedakah but also to be willing to do so.
11. Now also complete what you started! Then your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your finishing it from what you have. [SHEMOT 25:2]
12. For if the readiness is already present, it is acceptable according to whatever one may have --not according to what one does not have. [MISHLE 3:27-28; Mk 12:43]
13. For it is not that there should be relief to others and distress and tzoros to you, but that there should be a balance of equality