5. And this is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also to us, through the will of God,
6. so much so that we petitioned Titus, that in the same manner as he had begun, he would also complete in you this same grace.
7. But, just as in all things you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all solicitude, and even more so in your charity toward us, so also may you abound in this grace.
8. I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.
9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you might become rich.
10. And about this, I give my counsel. For this is useful to those of you who, only a year earlier, had just begun to act, or even to be willing to act.
11. So, truly now, accomplish this in deed, so that, in the same manner as your willing mind is prompted, you may also act, out of that which you have.
12. For when the will is prompted, it receives according to what that person has, not according to what that person does not have.
13. And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should be an equality.
14. In this present time, let your abundance supply their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be an equality, just as it was written:
15. "He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little."
16. But thanks be to God, who has granted to the heart of Titus, this same solicitude for you.