2 Corinthians 8

1 Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.

But we desire to let you know, brethren, of the grace of God which has been bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia;

2 That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy; and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.

how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality.

3 For according to their power (I bear them witness), and beyond their power, they were willing.

For I can testify that to the utmost of their power, and even beyond their power, they have of their own free will given help.

4 With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.

With earnest entreaty they begged from us the favour of being allowed to share in the service now being rendered to God's people.

5 And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God:

They not only did this, as we had expected, but first of all in obedience to God's will they gave their own selves to the Lord and to us.

6 Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.

This led us to urge Titus that, as he had previously been the one who commenced the work, so he should now go and complete among you this act of beneficence also.

7 That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace also you may abound.

Yes, just as you are already very rich in faith, readiness of speech, knowledge, unwearied zeal, and in the love that is in you, implanted by us, see to it that this grace of liberal giving also flourishes in you.

8 I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.

I am not saying this by way of command, but to test by the standard of other men's earnestness the genuineness of your love also.

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich.

For you know the condescending goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ--how for your sakes He became poor, though He was rich, in order that you through His poverty might grow rich.

10 And herein I give my advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.

But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this helps forward your own intentions, seeing that not only have you begun operations, but a year ago you already had the desire to do so.

11 Now therefore perform ye it also in deed; that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.

And now complete the doing also, in order that, just as there was then the eagerness in desiring, there may now be the accomplishment in proportion to your means.

12 For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which he hath not.

For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not.

13 For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by an equality.

I do not urge you to give in order that others may have relief while you are unduly pressed,

14 In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,

but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having in the present emergency supplied their deficiency, their superfluity may in turn be a supply for your deficiency later on, so that there may be equalization of burdens.

15 As it is written: He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.

Even as it is written, "He who gathered much had not too much, and he who gathered little had not too little."

16 And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.

But thanks be to God that He inspires the heart of Titus with the same deep interest in you;

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.

for Titus welcomed our request, and, being thoroughly in earnest, comes to you of his own free will.

18 We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches.

And we send with him the brother whose praises for his earnestness in proclaiming the Good News are heard throughout all the Churches.

19 And not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord, and our determined will:

And more than that, he is the one who was chosen by the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory and gratify our own strong desire.

20 Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.

For against one thing we are on our guard--I mean against blame being thrown upon us in respect to these large and liberal contributions which are under our charge.

21 For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men.

For we seek not only God's approval of our integrity, but man's also.

22 And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence in you,

And we send with them our brother, of whose zeal we have had frequent proof in many matters, and who is now more zealous than ever through the strong confidence which he has in you.

23 Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

As for Titus, remember that he is a partner with me, and is my comrade in my labours for you. And as for our brethren, remember that they are delegates from the Churches, and are men in whom Christ is glorified.

24 Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Exhibit therefore to the Churches a proof of your love, and a justification of our boasting to these brethren about you.