2 Corinthians 8

1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia;

2 how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.

that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their [free-hearted] liberality.

3 For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

For according to [their] power, I bear witness, and beyond [their] power, [they were] willing of their own accord,

4 begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.

begging of us with much entreaty [to give effect to] the grace and fellowship of the service which [was to be rendered] to the saints.

5 This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will.

6 So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

So that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also;

7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us—see that you also abound in this grace.

but even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.

8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

I do not speak as commanding [it], but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love.

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he, being rich, became poor, in order that ye by his poverty might be enriched.

10 I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

And I give [my] opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.

11 But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.

But now also complete the doing of it; so that as [there was] the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have.

12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have.

For if the readiness be there, [a man is] accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not.

13 For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,

For [it is] not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress,

14 but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack, that there may be equality.

but [on the principle] of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should be equality.

15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

According as it is written, He who [gathered] much had no excess, and he who [gathered] little was nothing short.

16 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

But thanks [be] to God, who gives the same diligent zeal for you in the heart of Titus.

17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.

For he received indeed the entreaty, but, being full of zeal, he went of his own accord to you;

18 We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies.

but we have sent with him the brother whose praise [is] in the glad tidings through all the assemblies;

19 Not only so, but he was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.

and not only [so], but [is] also chosen by the assemblies as our fellow-traveller with this grace, ministered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and [a witness of] our readiness;

20 We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

avoiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance [which is] administered by us;

21 Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

for we provide for things honest, not only before [the] Lord, but also before men.

22 We have sent with them our brother whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.

And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved to be of diligent zeal in many things, and now more diligently zealous through the great confidence [he has] as to you.

23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.

Whether as regards Titus, [he is] my companion and fellow-labourer in your behalf; or our brethren, [they are] deputed messengers of assemblies, Christ's glory.

24 Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Shew therefore to them, before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you.