2 Corinthians 8
1 Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God shown to the Macedonian churches.
But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia;
2 Even though they have suffered terrible trouble, they are overflowing with happiness; and even though they are very poor, they are also overflowing in their generosity.
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.
3 I can confirm that they gave what they could, in fact even more than that! By their own choice
For according to [their] power, I bear witness, and beyond [their] power, [they were] willing of their own accord,
4 they kept on pleading with us to have a part in this privilege of sharing in this ministry to God's people.
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.
5 They didn't just do what we hoped they would do, but they gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us, as God wanted them to do.
And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will.
6 So we have encouraged Titus—since it was he who started this work with you—to return and complete this gracious ministry of yours.
So that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also;
7 Since you have an abundance of everything—your trust in God, your eloquence, your spiritual knowledge, your complete dedication, and in your love for us—make sure that your abundance also extends to this gracious ministry of giving.
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.
8 I'm not ordering you to do this, but to prove how sincere your love is in comparison with the dedication of others.
I do not speak as commanding [it], but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though he was rich, he became poor for you, so that through his poverty you could become rich.
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.
10 This is my advice: it would be good if you finished what you started. Last year you were not only the first to give but the first to want to do so.
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.
11 Now finish what you planned to do. Be as keen to finish as you were to plan, and give as you are able.
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.
12 If the willingness is there, it's fine to give what you have, not what you don't have!
For if the readiness be there, [a man is] accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not.
13 This is not to make things easier for others and harder for you, but simply to be fair.
For [it is] not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress,
14 At the moment you have more than enough and can meet their needs, and in turn when they have more than enough they can meet your needs. In that way everyone is treated fairly.
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.
15 As Scripture says, “The one who had much didn't have any excess, and the one who didn't have much didn't have too little.”
According as it is written, He who [gathered] much had no excess, and he who [gathered] little was nothing short.
16 Thanks be to God that he gave to Titus the same devotion for you that I have.
But thanks [be] to God, who gives the same diligent zeal for you in the heart of Titus.
17 Though he agreed to do what we told him, he's coming to see you because he really wants to, and had already decided to do so.
For he received indeed the entreaty, but, being full of zeal, he went of his own accord to you;
18 We're also sending with him a brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the good news.
but we have sent with him the brother whose praise [is] in the glad tidings through all the assemblies;
19 He was also appointed by the churches to go with us as we deliver this gracious offering we're carrying. We do this to honor the Lord and to show our eagerness to help others.
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;
20 We want to guard against anyone criticizing us about how we use this gift.
avoiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance [which is] administered by us;
21 We're concerned to do things the right way, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of everyone.
for we provide for things honest, not only before [the] Lord, but also before men.
22 We're also sending with them another brother who has proved to be reliable on many occasions, and who is eager to help. He is now even more eager to help because of the great confidence he has in you.
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.
23 If anyone asks about Titus, he is my companion. He works with me on your behalf. The other brothers are representatives from the churches and an honor to Christ.
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.
24 So please welcome them before all the churches and show them your love, proving how rightly proud we are of you.
Shew therefore to them, before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you.
