Brethren: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for you he was made poor, whereas he was rich; that by his poverty you might be rich. And in this point I give counsel: for this is profitable for you, which have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, from the year past: But now perform ye it also in deed: that as your mind is prompt to be willing, so it may be also to perform, of that which you have. For if the will be prompt, it is accepted according to that which it hath, not according to that which it hath not. For not that other should have ease, and you tribulation: but by an equality. Let in this present time your aboundance supply their want: that their aboundance also may supply your want, that there be an equality as it is written: He that had much, abounded not: and he that had little, wanted not.

   

   Brethren: Would God you could bear some little of my folly: but do ye also support me: for I emulate you with the emulation of God. For I have despoused you to one man, to present you a chaste virgin unto Christ. But I fear lest, as the serpent seduced Eve by his subtlety, so your senses may be corrupted, & fall from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh, preach another Christ whom we have not preached, or you receive another spirit whom you have not received; or another Gospel which you have not received: you might well suffer it. For I suppose that I have done nothing less than the great Apostles. For although rude in speech, yet not in knowledge. But in all things we are made manifest to you. Or did I commit a sin, humbling myself, that you might be exalted? because I evangelized unto you the Gospel of God gratis? Other churches I spoiled, taking a stipend, for your ministry. And when I was with you, and had need, I was burdenous to none: for that which I wanted, the brethren supplied that came from Macedonia: and in all things I have kept myself without burden to you, and will keep. The truth of Christ is in me, that this glorying shall not be infringed toward me in the countries of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God doth know.