Sowe urgedTitusthat as he had previously made a beginning,sohe would alsocompletein you thisgracious workas well.
"NowafterseveralyearsI cameto bringalmsto my nationand to presentofferings;
but now,I am goingto Jerusalemservingthe saints.
I urgedTitus[to go], and I sentthe brotherwith him. Titusdid not take any advantageof you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselvesin the samespirit[and walk] in the samesteps?
I hadnorestfor my spirit,not findingTitusmy brother;but taking my leaveof them, I wenton to Macedonia.
I give[my] opinionin this matter, for thisis to your advantage,whowere the first to begina year agonot onlyto do[this], but alsoto desire[to do it].
and not only[this], but he has alsobeen appointedby the churchesto travelwith us in thisgracious work,which is being administeredby us for the gloryof the LordHimself,and [to show] our readiness,
As for Titus,[he is] my partnerand fellow workeramongyou; as for our brethren,[they are] messengersof the churches,a gloryto Christ.
beggingus with muchurgingfor the favorof participationin the supportof the saints,
SoI thoughtit necessaryto urgethe brethrenthat they would go on aheadto you and arrange beforehandyour previously promisedbountifulgift,sothat the samewould be readyas a bountiful giftand not affectedby covetousness.
But I have receivedeverythingin fulland have an abundance;I am amply supplied,having receivedfrom Epaphrodituswhat you have sent,a fragrantaroma,an acceptablesacrifice,well-pleasingto God.
As each onehas receiveda [special] gift,employ it in servingone anotheras goodstewardsof the manifoldgraceof God.