2 Corinthians 8

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

And we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God, that has been given 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.

because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality;

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

because, according to [their] power, I testify, and above [their] power, they were willing of themselves,

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

with much plea calling on us to receive the favor and the fellowship of the ministry to the holy ones,

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 expected, but they gave themselves first to the LORD, and to us, through the will of God,

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 exhorted Titus, that, according as he began before, so also he may also finish this favor to you,

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 in everything you abound, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, that also in this grace you may abound;

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 according to command, but because of the diligence 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 you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you He became poor—being rich, that you may become rich by that poverty.

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 an opinion in this: for this [is] expedient to you, who not only to do, but also to will, began before—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.

and now also finish doing [it], that even as [there is] the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which you 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 willing mind is present, it is well-accepted according to that which anyone may have, not according to that which he does not have;

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

for I do not speak that for others [to be] released, and you pressured,

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 by equality, at the present time your abundance—for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may 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 has been written: “He who [gathered] much, had nothing over; and he who [gathered] little, had no lack.”

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

And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence 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.

because he indeed accepted the exhortation, and being more diligent, he went forth to you of his own accord,

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

and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news [is] 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 who was also appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveler, with this favor that is ministered by us, to the glory of the same Lord, and your willing mind;

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

avoiding this, lest anyone may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,

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

providing right things, 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 sent our brother with them, whom we proved being diligent many times in many things, and now much more diligent, by the great confidence that is toward 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—about Titus—my partner and fellow-worker toward you, whether—our brothers, apostles of assemblies—glory of Christ;

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

the showing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, show to them, even in the face of the assemblies.