7. But as you excel in everything—in faith and speech and knowledge and all diligence, and in your love for us—also excel in this grace.
8. I am saying this not as a command, but I am trying to prove by the diligence of others the genuineness of your love as well.
9. For you know the grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah—that even though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich.
10. Now I give my opinion in this matter, that it is a credit to you that a year ago you were the first to start—not only to do but even to be willing.
11. But now finish doing it, so that just as there was eagerness to be willing, so also to finish it, out of what you have.
12. For if the eagerness is present, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he doesn’t have.
13. For it is not relief for others and hardship for you, but as a matter of equality.
14. Your abundance at this present time meets their need, so that their abundance may also meet your need—so that there may be equality.
15. As it is written, “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
16. But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion for you.
17. For indeed he not only accepted our appeal, but went to you with eagerness and on his own initiative.
18. We are sending along with him the brother whose fame in connection with the Good News has spread throughout all of Messiah’s communities.