2 Corinthians 8
1 We doe you also to wit, brethren, of the grace of God bestowed vpon the Churches of Macedonia,
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;
2 Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie.
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power (I beare record) yea, and beyonde their power, they were willing,
For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,
4 And praied vs with great instance that we woulde receiue the grace, and fellowship of the ministring which is toward the Saints.
beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
5 And this they did, not as we looked for: but gaue their owne selues, first to the Lord, and after vnto vs by the will of God,
and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
6 That we should exhort Titus, that as hee had begon, so he would also accomplish the same grace among you also.
Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.
7 Therefore, as yee abound in euery thing, in faith and woorde, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your loue towardes vs, euen so see that yee abound in this grace also.
But as ye abound in everything, [in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all earnestness, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.
8 This say I not by commandement, but because of the diligence of others: therefore prooue I the naturalnesse of your loue.
I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
9 For ye knowe the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, that hee being rich, for your sakes became poore, that yee through his pouertie might be made 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 through his poverty might become rich.
10 And I shewe my minde herein: for this is expedient for you, which haue begun not to doe onely, but also to will, a yeare agoe.
And herein I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
11 Nowe therefore performe to doe it also, that as there was a readinesse to will, euen so yee may performe it of that which yee haue.
But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability.
12 For if there be first a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according as [a man] hath, not according as [he] hath not.
13 Neither is it that other men should be eased and you grieued: But vpon like condition, at this time your abundance supplieth their lacke:
For [I say] not [this] that others may be eased [and] ye distressed;
14 That also their aboundance may bee for your lacke, that there may be equalitie:
but by equality: your abundance [being a supply] at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become [a supply] for your want; that there may be equality:
15 As it is written, Hee that gathered much, had nothing ouer, and hee that gathered litle, had not the lesse.
as it is written, He that [gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [gathered] little had no lack.
16 And thanks be vnto God, which hath put in the heart of Titus the same care for you.
But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 Because hee accepted the exhortation, yea, hee was so carefull that of his owne accorde hee went vnto you.
For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.
18 And wee haue sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout al the Churches.
And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel [is spread] through all the churches;
19 (And not so onely, but is also chosen of the Churches to be a fellowe in our iourney, concerning this grace that is ministred by vs vnto the glorie of the same Lord, and declaration of your prompt minde)
and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in [the matter of] this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and [to show] our readiness:
20 Auoiding this, that no man shoulde blame vs in this aboundance that is ministred by vs,
avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is ministered by us:
21 Prouiding for honest thinges, not onely before the Lord, but also before men.
for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we haue sent with them our brother, whom we haue oft times prooued to be diligent in many thinges, but nowe much more diligent, for the great confidence, which I haue in you.
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which [he hath] in you.
23 Whether any doe inquire of Titus, he is my fellowe and helper to you ward: or of our brethren, they are messengers of the Churches, and the glorie of Christ.
Whether [any inquire] about Titus, [he is] my partner and [my] fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, [they are] the messengers of the churches, [they are] the glory of Christ.
24 Wherefore shew toward them, and before the Churches the proofe of your loue, and of the reioycing that we haue of you.
Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.
