but withoutyour consentI did not wantto doanything,sothat your goodnesswould not be, in effect,by compulsionbut of your own free will.
"Since I know,O my God,that You trythe heartand delightin uprightness,I, in the integrityof my heart,have willinglyofferedallthese[things]; so nowwith joyI have seenYour people,who are presenthere,make[their] offeringswillinglyto You.
Your peoplewill volunteerfreelyin the dayof Your power;In holyarray,from the wombof the dawn,Your youthare to You [as] the dew.
For ifI dothisvoluntarily,I havea reward;but ifagainst my will,I have a stewardshipentrustedto me.
Whoat any timeserves as a soldierat his ownexpense?Whoplantsa vineyardand does not eatthe fruitof it? Orwhotendsa flockand does not usethe milkof the flock?
Not that we lord it overyour faith,but are workerswith you for your joy;for in your faithyou are standing firm.
For ifthe readinessis present,it is acceptableaccordingto what [a person] has,not accordingto what he does not have.
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.
Each one[must do] justas he has purposedin his heart,not grudginglyorundercompulsion,for Godlovesa cheerfulgiver.
