2 Corinthians 8

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

Moreover, brethren, we do you to know of the grace of God bestowed on 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,

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

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

In order to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

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

Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering 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 this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by 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.

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

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.

Therefore, as all of you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, (logos) and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love (agape) to us, see that all of you abound in this grace also.

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

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (agape)

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 all of you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that all of you through his poverty might be 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 advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward 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.

Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which all of you have.

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 be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that 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 I mean not that other men be eased, and all of you burdened:

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

But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their lack, that their abundance also may be a supply for your lack: that there may be equality:

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

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

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

But thanks be to God, which put the same earn care into the heart of Titus for you.

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

For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

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

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout 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.

And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

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

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

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

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

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 have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in 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 any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and 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.

Wherefore show all of you to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, (agape) and of our boasting on your behalf.