¹⁴ But without your approval I would do nothing; so that your good works might not be forced, but done freely from your heart.

⁷ Let every man do after the purpose of his heart; not giving with grief, or by force: for God takes pleasure in a ready giver.

² Keep watch over the flock of God which is in your care, using your authority, not as forced to do so, but gladly; and not for unclean profit but with a ready mind;

³ Not as lords over God's heritage, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

⁸ And so, though I might, in the name of Christ, give you orders to do what is right,

⁹ Still, because of love, in place of an order, I make a request to you, I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus:

⁵ So it seemed to me wise for the brothers to go before, and see that the amount which you had undertaken to give was ready, so that it might be a cause for praise, and not as if we were making profit out of you.

¹² For if there is a ready mind, a man will have God's approval in the measure of what he has, and not of what he has not.

²⁴ Not that we have authority over your faith, but we are helpers of your joy: for it is faith which is your support.

¹⁷ But if I do it gladly, I have a reward; and if not, I am under orders to do it.

⁷ Who ever goes to war without looking to someone to be responsible for his payment? who puts in vines and does not take the fruit of them? or who takes care of sheep without drinking of their milk?

³ Your people give themselves gladly in the day of your power; like the dew of the morning on the holy mountains is the army of your young men.

¹⁷ And I am conscious, my God, that you are the searcher of hearts, taking pleasure in righteousness. As for me, with an upright heart I have freely given all these things; and I have seen with joy your people who are here to make their offerings freely to you.