2 Corinthians 8

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

Now we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God conferred on the churches of Macedonia:

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

how in a great trial of affliction, their abundant chearfulness and their deep poverty, hath munificently shewn the riches of their bounty.

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

For to their power, I bear them witness, yea and beyond their power, they contributed of their own accord:

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

intreating us with much importunity, that we would convey the gift, and so take upon us a part of the ministration to the saints.

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 they did not merely as we hoped, but first gave themselves unto the Lord, and to us by the will of God.

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

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had already begun, so he would also complete this grace among you.

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.

And as ye abound in every other grace, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, that ye may abound 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 speak not by way of command, but to prove the sincerity of your love also, by means of the forwardness of others.

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 ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye by his poverty might be 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 herein I give my opinion: for this is to your advantage, who not only began to act, but also to be forward to it above a year ago.

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

Now therefore perfect also the doing it; that as there was a readiness of will, so there may be also a performance according to your ability.

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 a willing mind, any me is accepted according to what he hath, not according to what he hath not.

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

For I do not mean that others should have relief, and you be burdened:

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 by an equality, that your abundance may at this time be a supply to their want; and their abundance may be the like to your want, if need be: that there may be an equality:

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

as it is written, "He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no 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 put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus:

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

for he not only complied with the exhortation, but being more forward he went 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 we have sent along with him the brother, whose praise in 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.

(and not only so, but he was also chosen by the churches to accompany us with this grace, which is administered by us for the glory of the same Lord, and to shew your readiness of mind: )

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

hereby taking care that no one might blame us in the disposal of this large sum which is administered by us:

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.

looking to things that are right 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.

And we have sent with them another brother of ours, whom we have often proved diligent in many things, and now I doubt not much more on account 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.

If then there be any inquiry about Titus, he is my collegue and fellow-laborer among you: and if our brethren be inquired after, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

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

Therefore shew to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and the justness of our boasting concerning you.