For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.

For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well.

Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you.

Ye may

Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift and not as something you feel forced to do.

With regard to the collection for the saints, please follow the directions that I gave to the churches of Galatia:

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.

General references

Do not say to your neighbor, "Go! Return tomorrow and I will give it," when you have it with you at the time.

Therefore show them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.