2 Corinthians 8

1 Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.

Now, brothers, I wish to tell you about the grace of God which has been manifest in the churches of Macedonia.

2 In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

For although in heavy trial of affliction, their overbrimming happiness, even in spite of their deep poverty, abounded to the opulence of their unselfishness.

3 For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,

For I can testify that according to their ability, and even beyond their ability, of their own free will, too, they have given help.

4 they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

With earnest entreaty they craved of me the privilege of a share in ministering to the saints in Jerusalem.

5 And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God.

And this not as I had expected, but in accordance with the will of God, they first gave themselves to God and to me.

6 So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.

With the result that I have been begging Titus that, as he had been the one to begin the work with you, so he should complete among you this grace also.

7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Now then, as you excel in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and all zeal and in your love to me, see to it that you excel in this grace also.

8 I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.

I do not say this by way of command, but by the zeal of others I am trying to prove the reality 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, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

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

10 And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.

And I will give you my opinion in this matter; for this offering is fitting in your case, considering that you made a beginning before others, not only in the willingness to do something but also in actually doing something a year ago.

11 Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.

So now complete the doing of it also, in order that just as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the accomplishment according to your means.

12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

For if there be first willing mind, the gift is accepted according to what a man has, and not according to what he has not.

13 It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.

Nor are other people to be relieved, and you to be distressed;

14 At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.

but burdens are to be equalized. Now your abundance at this present time present time is a supply for their want, in supply for your want; and so burdens be equalized,

15 As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

even as it is written, He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack.

16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.

But thanks be to God who has inspired in the heart of Titus the same zeal on your behalf that I have.

17 For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.

For he not only consented to my request, but being thoroughly in earnest, comes to you of his own accord.

18 Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel.

And I am sending with him that brother whose fame in the service of the gospel is spread through all the churches.

19 More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering —the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.

More than that, he is the one chosen by the churches to accompany me on my journey, in administering this gift of yours for the Lord’s glory. And this has my full consent,

20 We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.

because I am on my guard in this, that no one should blame me, in respect to this bounty which I am administering.

21 For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.

For I aim at being above reproach, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22 And we are sending along with them our brother whose earnestness has been proven many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.

With them I am sending our brother of whose zeal I have often had proof in many ways, and who is now zealous because of his great confidence in you.

23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, to the glory of Christ.

As for Titus, remember that he is a partner of mine, and is also my associate in labors for you. As for the other brothers, remember that they are delegates from the churches, men in whom Christ is glorified.

24 In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.

So show to the churches an evidence of your love, and a justification to these brothers of my boasting about you.