2 Corinthians 8
1 We doe you also to wit, brethren, of the grace of God bestowed vpon the Churches of Macedonia,
Moreover we make known unto you, brethren, the favour of God which hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, —
2 Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie.
That, in a great testing of tribulation, the superabounding of their joy and their deep destitution, superabounded unto the riches of their liberality;
3 For to their power (I beare record) yea, and beyonde their power, they were willing,
That, according to power, I bear witness, and beyond power, of their own accord, [they acted], —
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 exhortation, entreating of us the favour and the fellowship of the ministry which was for 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 merely as we hoped, but, themselves, gave they, first, unto the Lord and unto us through God’s will,
6 That we should exhort Titus, that as hee had begon, so he would also accomplish the same grace among you also.
To the end we should exhort Titus, in order that, according as he before made a beginning, so, he should also complete unto you this favour 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, just as, in everything, ye superabound, —in faith, and discourse, and knowledge, and all earnestness, and in the love among you which proceedeth from us, in order that, in this favour also, ye would superabound.
8 This say I not by commandement, but because of the diligence of others: therefore prooue I the naturalnesse of your loue.
Not by way of injunction, do I speak, but through, others’, earnestness, and, the genuineness of your own love, putting to the test.
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 are taking knowledge of the favour of our Lord Jesus [Christ], —how that, for your sakes, he became destitute—although he was, rich, in order that, ye, by his destitution, might be enriched.
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, a judgment, herein, do I give, —for, this, unto you, is profitable, —who, indeed, not only of the doing, but of the desiring, made for yourselves a beginning 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.
Howbeit, now, the doing also, complete ye, in order that, even according to the forwardness of the desiring, so, may be the completing—out of what ye 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 forwardness is set forth, according to what one may have, he is well approved, not according to what one 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, not that unto others should be relief, and unto you distress [do I speak], but, by equality, in the present season, your surplus for their deficiency, —
14 That also their aboundance may bee for your lacke, that there may be equalitie:
In order that their surplus may come to be for your deficiency: that there may come about an equality: —
15 As it is written, Hee that gathered much, had nothing ouer, and hee that gathered litle, had not the lesse.
Even as it is written—He that [gathered] the much, had not more than enough, and, he that [gathered] the little, had not less,
16 And thanks be vnto God, which hath put in the heart of Titus the same care for you.
Thanks, however, unto God!—who is putting the same earnestness in your behalf 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.
In that, though, indeed, the exhortation, he welcomed; yet already being, greatly in earnest, of his own accord, hath he gone forth unto you.
18 And wee haue sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout al the Churches.
Howbeit, we also set forward, with him, the brother, whose praise in the Glad Tidings, [hath gone] through all the assemblies: —
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)
Not only so, however, but he hath also been appointed by the assemblies, as a fellow-traveler with us in this favour, which is being ministered by us with a view to the Lord’s glory and our earnest desire: —
20 Auoiding this, that no man shoulde blame vs in this aboundance that is ministred by vs,
Arranging this—lest anyone, upon us, should cast blame, in this munificence which is being ministered by us;
21 Prouiding for honest thinges, not onely before the Lord, but also before men.
For we provide things honourable, not only before [the] Lord, 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.
Moreover we have set forward, with them, our brother whom we have proved, in many things, ofttimes, earnest, —but, now, much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence [which he hath] towards 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 as regardeth Titus, he is a partner of mine, and, towards you, a fellow-worker. or our brethren, apostles of assemblies, and Christ’s glory.
24 Wherefore shew toward them, and before the Churches the proofe of your loue, and of the reioycing that we haue of you.
The proof of your love, therefore, and of our boasting in your behalf, shew ye, unto them, in the face of the assemblies.
