⁵ And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. ⁶ So we urged^(A) Titus,^(B) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion^(C) this act of grace on your part. ⁷ But since you excel in everything^(D)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,^(E) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you^[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.