⁴ For fear that, if any from Macedonia come with me, and you are not ready, we (not to say, you) might be put to shame in this thing.

²⁶ For it has been the good pleasure of those of Macedonia and Achaia to send a certain amount of money for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.

¹ And now we give you news, brothers, about the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia;

² How while they were undergoing every sort of trouble, and were in the greatest need, they took all the greater joy in being able to give freely to the needs of others.

³ For I give them witness, that as they were able, and even more than they were able, they gave from the impulse of their hearts,

⁴ Seriously requesting us that they might have a part in this grace of being servants to the needs of the saints:

⁵ And going even farther than our hope, they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us after the purpose of God.

²⁴ Make clear then to them, as representatives of the churches, the quality of your love, and that the things which we have said about you are true.

² For I have before made clear to those of Macedonia my pride in your ready mind, saying to them that Achaia has been ready for a year back; and a great number have been moved to do the same by your example.

¹⁷ What I am now saying is not by the order of the Lord, but as a foolish person, taking credit to myself, as it seems.