for I knowyour readiness,of whichI boastaboutyou to the Macedonians,[namely], that Achaiahas been preparedsincelast year,and your zealhas stirredup mostof them.
But while Galliowas proconsulof Achaia,the Jewswith one accordrose up againstPauland broughthim beforethe judgment seat,
"NowafterseveralyearsI cameto bringalmsto my nationand to presentofferings;
For Macedoniaand Achaiahave been pleasedto makea contributionfor the pooramong the saintsin Jerusalem.
NowI urgeyou, brethren(you knowthe householdof Stephanas,that they were the first fruitsof Achaia,and that they have devotedthemselvesfor ministryto the saints),
Paul,an apostleof ChristJesusby the willof God,and Timothy[our] brother,To the churchof Godwhich is at Corinthwith allthe saintswho are throughoutAchaia:
For ifin anythingI have boastedto him aboutyou, I was not put to shame;but as we spokeall thingsto you in truth,soalsoour boastingbeforeTitusprovedto be [the] truth.
Greatis my confidencein you; greatis my boastingon your behalf.I am filledwith comfort;I am overflowingwith joyin allour affliction.
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].
But nowfinishdoingit also,sothat justas [there was] the readinessto desireit, so[there] [may be] alsothe completionof it by your ability.
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,
Thereforeopenlybeforethe churches,showthem the proofof your loveand of our reason for boastingaboutyou.
I am not speaking[this] as a command,but as provingthroughthe earnestnessof othersthe sincerityof your lovealso.
sothat you becamean exampleto allthe believersin Macedoniaand in Achaia.
and let us considerhow to stimulateone anotherto loveand gooddeeds,
