12. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality-
14. at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;
15. as it is written, "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack."
16. But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.
17. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.
18. We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches;
19. and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,
20. taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;
21. for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22. We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.
23. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.
24. Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.