2 Corinthians 8

1 But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed 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 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.

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 bear witness, and beyond [their] power, [they were] willing of their own accord,

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

4 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.

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

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

and not according as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the LORD, and to us, through the will of God,

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

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

7 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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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

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

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

14 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.

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

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 gives the same diligent zeal for you in the heart of Titus.

And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,

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

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

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

and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news [is] through all the assemblies,

19 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;

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

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

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

providing right things, not only before the LORD, but also before men;

22 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.

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 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.

whether—about Titus—my partner and fellow-worker toward you, whether—our brothers, apostles of assemblies—glory of Christ;

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

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