3 But I am sending the brethren so that our boasting about you may not prove vain in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be; 4 lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, weónot to say anything about youó would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren to go on to you before me, and arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so that it may be ready not as an exaction but as a willing gift. 6 The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give just as he has purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will multiply the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the test of this service, you will glorify God by your obedience in your confession of the gospel of Christ, and by the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others; 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 10 1 I, Paul, myself urge you, by the meekness and gentleness of ChristóI who am humble when face to face with you, but bold to you when I am away!ó2 I beg you that when I am present I may not have to be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war as the flesh does. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish every disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 7 You look at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I shall not be put to shame. 9 I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.