2 Corinthians 8

1 And, brothers, we declare to you the grace of God that has been given in the congregations of Macedonia,

But, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia;

2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy, even from the depth of their poverty, abounded for the wealth of their generosity,

because in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3 so that according to their ability, I testify, and beyond their ability, willingly,

Because I witness, that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they were anxious,

4 with much exhortation, begging of us the favor, even the fellowship of service for the sanctified.

with much exhortation praying our favor and the fellowship of the ministry which is to the saints:

5 And it was not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us through the will of God,

and not as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us through the will of God:

6 for us to urge Titus that, as he earlier began this kindness, so he would even finish it for you also.

that we should exhort Titus, that as he formerly began it, he may indeed also complete this grace unto you.

7 But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, so that ye may also abound in this kindness.

But as in every thing you abound, in faith, and in word, and knowledge, and in all zeal, and in divine love from you in us, that you may also abound in this philanthropy.

8 I speak not from commandment, but because of the zeal of others, also examining the genuineness of your love.

I speak not according to commandment, but through the zeal of others also proving the sincerity of your divine love.

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich he became poor for your sakes, so that by that man's poverty ye might become rich.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, being rich, for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be made rich.

10 And in this I give judgment, for this is expedient for you who earlier began, from a year ago, not only the doing but also the intending.

And herein I give my judgement: for this is profitable to you, who not only began to do, but to be anxious, a year ago:

11 And now also finish the doing, so that just as was the willingness of the intending, so also to finish from the having.

but now indeed complete the work; in order that as there was a promptitude of willing, there shall also be a completion out of your ability.

12 For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable to the extent if some man has, not to the extent he does not have.

For if there is first a willing mind, it is acceptable according to what one may have, and not according to what he has not.

13 For it is not so that ease is for others and stress for you, but out of parity your abundance at the present time is for the need of those men.

For it is not that there may be relief to others, affliction to you, but that it may be according to equality: at this time your abundance may correspond to their deficiency,

14 So that the abundance of those men may also happen for your need, so that there may become equity,

that their abundance may correspond with your deficiency, in order that there may be equality:

15 as it is written, he of much did not abound, and he of little did not lack.

as has been written, He that had much did not super-abound; and he that had little did not lack.

16 But thanks to God who gives the same eagerness for you in the heart of Titus.

But thanks be unto God, who gives this same enthusiasm in your behalf in the heart of Titus;

17 Because he indeed accepted the exhortation, but his own will being more zealous, he went forth to you.

because he indeed accepted our exhortation; and being the more enthusiastic, came unto you of his own accord.

18 And we sent along with him the brother whose praise in the good news is throughout all the congregations.

But we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is through all the churches;

19 And not only so, but who was also chosen by the congregations, a traveling companion of us with this gift administered by us, for the glory of the same Lord and our willingness.

not only so, but having been elected by the churches our traveling companion with this philanthropy, administered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and your promptitude:

20 Arranging this lest any man may criticize us in this bounty administered by us,

and avoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this benefaction administered by us:

21 providing things right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

for we provide things honest, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also before the people.

22 And we sent along with them our brother whom we often proved being diligent in many things, but is now much more diligent (with much confidence toward you)

And we sent our brother along with him to them, whom we have tried, being frequently zealous in many things, but now much more zealous, with great confidence towards you.

23 whether on behalf of Titus my partner and co-workman for you, or our brothers, apostles of congregations, a glory of Christ.

Whether in behalf of Titus, my companion and fellow-laborer towards you; or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

24 Therefore show ye the proof of your love and our boast about you, for them in the face of the congregations.

Moreover manifesting the exhibition of your love, and our boasting to them in your behalf, in the face of the churches.