2 Corinthians 8

1 We doe you also to wit, brethren, of the grace of God bestowed vpon the Churches of Macedonia,

Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that 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.

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.

3 For to their power (I beare record) yea, and beyonde their power, they were willing,

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

4 And praied vs with great instance that we woulde receiue the grace, and fellowship of the ministring which is toward the Saints.

With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward 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 not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by 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 desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.

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.

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.

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 as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.

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 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.

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 advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.

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.

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.

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 will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which 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 mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by an equality.

14 That also their aboundance may bee for your lacke, that there may be equalitie:

In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an 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 had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.

16 And thanks be vnto God, which hath put in the heart of Titus the same care for you.

And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in 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 indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.

18 And wee haue sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout al the Churches.

We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel 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 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:

20 Auoiding this, that no man shoulde blame vs in this aboundance that is ministred by vs,

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

21 Prouiding for honest thinges, not onely before the Lord, but also before men.

For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before 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 also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence 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.

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

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