¹⁴ But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

⁷ Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;

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

⁸ Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,

⁹ yet for love's sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

⁵ I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.

¹² For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don't have.

²⁴ Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.

¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.

⁷ What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and doesn't eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and doesn't drink from the flock's milk?

³ Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.

¹⁷ I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have 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 your people, that are present here, offer willingly to you.