15. As it is written in the Scriptures, “The person who gathered more did not have too much. The person who gathered less did not have too little.”
16. I thank God because he gave Titus the same love for you that I have.
17. Titus accepted what we asked him to do. He wanted very much to go to you. This was his own idea.
18. We are sending with him the brother who is praised by all the churches. This brother is praised because of his service in preaching the Good News.
19. Also, this brother was chosen by the churches to go with us when we deliver this gift of money. We are doing this service to bring glory to the Lord and to show that we really want to help.
20. We are being careful so that no one will criticize us about the way we are handling this large gift.
21. We are trying to do what is right. We want to do what the Lord accepts as right and also what people think is right.
22. Also, we are sending with them our brother who is always ready to help. He has proved this to us in many ways. And he wants to help even more now because he has much faith in you.
23. Now about Titus—he is my partner who is working with me to help you. And about the other brothers—they are sent from the churches, and they bring glory to Christ.
24. So show these men that you really have love. Show them why we are proud of you. Then all the churches can see it.