might also work such a good work among you.

But as ye abound in all things, in faith, and in the word, and in knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love toward us, see that ye abound also in this benefit.

Not that I say I command, but because others are diligent, I also try your love, whether it be right.

For ye know the grace of our Lord JESUS Christ, that though he were rich, yet for your sakes he was poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

And my good will in this I give. For these things are profitable unto you that began before the year, not only to do, but also to will.

But now perform also the doing, that, as there is a mind inclined to will, so there may be also a mind inclined to do of that which ye have.

For if a man be willing, he is acceptable after he hath, not after he hath not.

Not that they think that others have rest, and that they have affliction; but that it may be the same.

Let your abundance minister to their want for this time, that their abundance also may minister to your want hereafter; and let it be done that which is like unto it.

As it is written, He that gathered much had not abundance; and he that gathered little had not want.

But thanks be to God, which hath put such diligence into the heart of Titus for you.

For he received the exhortation, but because he was so diligent, he journeyed unto you of his own accord.

But we have sent a brother with him; who hath the praise of the gospel through all the churches;

And not only so, but he also is ordained of the churches to be the companion of our journey in this good work, which is done by us for the glory of the Lord, and for the praise of your good will.

And take heed lest any man speak evil of us, because of the rich tax which is paid by us.

Seeing that it be done uprightly, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

We have also sent with them our brother, whom we have often spued in many things, that he should be diligent, but now much more diligent.

And we are very confident of you, whether it be because of Titus, which is my companion and assistant among you, or because of our brethren, which are apostles of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

Show therefore the evidence of your love and of our glory from you unto them, even publicly before the churches.
(2 Corinthians)
Chapter 9
Causes to carry the tax soon and properly.

For of such a tax as befalleth the saints I have no need to write unto you.

For I know your good will, whereof I boast of them of Macedonia, saying, Achaia was ready before the year. And your example hath provoked many.

But I have sent these brethren for this cause, that our glory might not be destroyed from you in the piece, and that ye might be ready, even as I said of you,

Lest, when they that are of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not ye) be put to shame with such a boast.

But I have judged it necessary to exhort the brethren to go forward unto you, to prepare this aforetime promised blessing, that it may be prepared, that it may be a blessing, and not a covetousness.
(Epistle on St. Lawrence’s Day.)

But this is what I mean: He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth in blessing shall reap also in blessing.

Every man according to his own will, not unwillingly, nor under compulsion: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

But God is able to make all grace abound among you, that ye may have full sufficiency in all things, and be rich in all good works,

As it is written, He hath strewed out and given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever.

But he that giveth seed to the sower shall also give bread for meat, and shall multiply your seed, and increase the increase of your righteousness:]

That ye may abound in all things with all simplicity, which worketh thanksgiving unto God through us.

For the giving of this tax satisfieth not only the want of the saints, but is also exceeding abundant in that many give thanks unto God for this our faithful service.

and praise God over your humble confession of the gospel of Christ and over your simple taxation of them and of everyone

and over their prayer for you, which desireth you, because of the abundant grace of GOD in
you.

But thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!
(2 Corinthians)
Chapter 10
Warning against seduction by false apostles.

But I Paul exhort you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who am presently lowly among you, but in absentia am foolish toward you.

But I beseech you, let me not be foolish at this present time, neither let me be bold, which I am called to be, against some that esteem us to walk carnally.

For though we walk in the flesh, yet do we not contend carnally.

For the weapons of our knighthood are not carnal, but mighty in the sight of God, to destroy the fortifications,

That we may destroy the designs and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring all understanding into captivity unto the obedience of Christ.

And are ready to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Do ye judge according to reputation? If any man think that he is Christ’s, let him think that he is Christ’s; and as he is Christ’s, so are we also Christ’s.

And if I boasted a little further of our power, which the LORD hath given us to amend you, and not to destroy you, I would not be put to shame.

But this I say, that ye think not that I will affright you with letters.

For the letters (speaking, they) are heavy and strong: but the presence of the body is weak, and the speech contemptible.

Let him that is such think that, as we are absent by word in the epistles, so we may well be present by deed.

For we ought not to number or count ourselves among them that commend themselves: but because they measure themselves by themselves, and think of themselves only, they understand nothing.

But we glory not in the goal, but only in the goal of the rule, that God hath measured out for us the goal, to reach even unto you.

For we go not too far, lest we should not have come unto you: for we came unto you with the gospel of Christ.

And we glory not in the work of others, and have hope, when your faith is increased in you, that we may advance according to our rule.

And preach the gospel also unto them that dwell beyond you, not boasting in those things which are prepared with strange rule.

But let him that boasteth boast of the LORD.

For therefore is no man proficient, that he should praise himself, but that the LORD should praise him.
(2 Corinthians)
Chapter 11
Paul’s endured work and danger in planting the church.

Would to God ye had given me a little folly! But ye will keep it for me.

For I am jealous for you with godly zeal. For I have trusted you to a man, that I might bring a pure virgin unto Christ.

But I fear lest, as the serpent beguiled Eve with his craftiness, so your minds also be beguiled of the simplicity that is in Christ.

For if he that cometh unto you preacheth another Jesus, which we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not received, ye are forgiven.

For I respect that I am no less than the high apostles are.

Though I be foolish in speech, yet am I not foolish in knowledge. Yea, I am well known among you all.

Or have I sinned in humbling myself, that ye might be exalted? For I have preached the gospel unto you in vain.

And have robbed other churches, and taken pay of them, that I might preach unto you.

And when I was present with you, and was in want, I was not burdensome to any man: for my want was supplied by the brethren that came out of Macedonia: and in all things I have kept myself light unto you, and will keep myself so.

If the truth of Christ be in me, let not this glory be stopped from me in the countries of Achaia.

Why is that? That I should not love you? God knows.

But what I do, and what I will do, I do for this cause, to cut off the cause of them that seek causes, that they may boast that they are like us.

For such false apostles and deceitful workers pretend to be Christ’s apostles.

And this is no marvel: for he himself, Satan, maketh himself an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing, if his ministers also disguise themselves as preachers of righteousness: which end shall be according to their works.

But I say again, lest any man think me foolish: but if not, receive me for a fool, that I may boast a little.

What I speak now, I speak not as in the Lord, but as in folly, because we are come to glory.

Forasmuch as many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.
(Epistle on Sunday Sexagesimä.)

For ye gladly bear with fools, because ye are wise.

Ye shall bear with one that maketh you servants, and with one that oppresseth