¹⁴ but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.

⁷ `Let' each man `do' according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

² Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to `the will of' God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

³ neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

⁸ Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,

⁹ yet for love's sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:

⁵ I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

¹² For if the readiness is there, `it is' acceptable according as `a man' hath, not according as `he' hath not.

²⁴ Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.

¹⁷ For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.

⁷ What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

³ Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth.

¹⁷ I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, that are present here, offer willingly unto thee.