I desired Titus, and with {him} I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? {walked we} not in the same steps?

But he said, {As} the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take {it}; but he refused.

For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also {do}.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as {a matter of} bounty, and not as {of} covetousness. {bounty: Gr. blessing} {whereof...: or, which hath been so much spoken of before}

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, {as} the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God {is} witness:

With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what {is} thine with me, and take {it} to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as {a matter of} bounty, and not as {of} covetousness. {bounty: Gr. blessing} {whereof...: or, which hath been so much spoken of before}