GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
11 So finish what you began to do. Then your willingness will be matched by what you accomplish
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Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
12 with whatever contributions you have. Since you are willing to do this, [remember] that people are accepted if they give what they are able to give. God doesn't ask for what they don't have.
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For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 I don't mean that others should have relief while you have hardship. Rather, it's a matter of striking a balance.
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Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.
14 At the present time, your surplus fills their need so that their surplus may fill your need. In this way things balance out.
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At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,
15 This is what Scripture says: "Those who had gathered a lot didn't have too much, and those who gathered a little didn't have too little."
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as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
16 I thank God for making Titus as dedicated to you as I am.
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Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.
17 He accepted my request and eagerly went to visit you by his own free will.
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For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
18 With him we have sent our Christian brother whom all the churches praise for the way he tells the Good News.
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And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.
19 More than that, the churches elected him to travel with us and bring this gift of God's kindness. We are administering it in a way that brings glory to the Lord and shows that we are doing it willingly.
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What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
20 We don't want anyone to find fault with the way we are administering this generous gift.
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We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift.
21 We intend to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people.
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For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.