(5)I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brethren, that they should go before to you, and make up beforehand your bounty before promised, that this may be ready, in manner as a bounty and not as covetousness. (6)But as to this, he that sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he that sows with blessings shall also reap with blessings; (7)but each as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. (8)And God is able to make every grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound toward every good work; (9)(as it is written: He dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor; His righteousness abides forever;) (10)and he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; (11)being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God. (12)Because the ministration of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints, but also abounds through many thanksgivings to God; (13)while by the proof of this ministration they glorify God for the obedience to your profession of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of the contribution to them, and to all; (14)they also, with supplication for you, longing after you on account of the exceeding grace of God in you. (15)Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift! X. NOW I, Paul, myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence indeed am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you; (2)but I entreat, that I may not when I am present be bold with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, who think of us as walking according to the flesh. (3)For though walking in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; (4)(for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty before God to the pulling down of strongholds) (5)casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (6)and being in readiness to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is made perfect. (7)Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trusts to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself consider this again, that, as he is Christ's, so also are we. (8)For even if I should boast somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification, and not for your destruction[10:8], I shall not be put to shame; (9)that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. (10)For his letters, says one, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. (11)Let such a one consider this, that such as we are in word by letters when absent, such will we be also in deed when present.