2 Corinthians 8
1 We doe you also to wit, brethren, of the grace of God bestowed vpon the Churches of Macedonia,
And, my brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which was conferred on the churches of the Macedonians;
2 Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie.
that in the great trial of their affliction, there was an abounding to their joy, and the depth of their poverty was exuberant in the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power (I beare record) yea, and beyonde their power, they were willing,
For I testify that, according to their ability, and beyond their ability, in the spontaneity of their mind,
4 And praied vs with great instance that we woulde receiue the grace, and fellowship of the ministring which is toward the Saints.
they besought us, with much entreaty, that they might participate in the beneficence of the ministration 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 not only as we had expected, but they first gave themselves unto the Lord, and 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.
So that we requested Titus, that as he had begun, so he would perfect in you also the same beneficence.
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.
And as ye are enriched in every thing, in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in our love towards you, so abound ye in this beneficence also.
8 This say I not by commandement, but because of the diligence of others: therefore prooue I the naturalnesse of your loue.
I do not actually command you, but by the promptitude of your fellow disciples, I would test the sincerity 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 goodness of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, who when he was rich, for your sakes became poor, that by his poverty ye might be made 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 I urgently recommend to you, that which is for your advantage; inasmuch as ye began, a year ago, not only to purpose, but also to perform.
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.
And now complete ye by action, what ye purposed; that as ye had a promptitude in your purposing, so ye may fulfill it in action, according to 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 there is a willingness, a person is accepted according to what he hath, and not according to what 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 it is not, that others may have easement, and you pressure;
14 That also their aboundance may bee for your lacke, that there may be equalitie:
but that ye may be on equality at the present time; and that your abundance may be a supply to their want; that their abundance likewise may be a supply to 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 who gathered much, had nothing over; and he that gathered little, was not deficient.
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 put into the heart of Titus this solicitude for you.
17 Because hee accepted the exhortation, yea, hee was so carefull that of his owne accorde hee went vnto you.
For he received our exhortation; and, because he was very anxious, he cheerfully set out to visit you.
18 And wee haue sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout al the Churches.
And we also sent with him that our brother, whose praise in the gospel is in 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)
inasmuch as he likewise had been expressly chosen by the churches, to accompany me with this beneficence which is ministered by us to the glory of God and to our cordiality.
20 Auoiding this, that no man shoulde blame vs in this aboundance that is ministred by vs,
And we hereby guarded, that no one should cast censure on us, in respect to this abundance which is ministered by us.
21 Prouiding for honest thinges, not onely before the Lord, but also before men.
For we are attentive to things commendable, 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 also sent with them that brother of ours, who hath often, and in many things, been proved diligent by us; and is now particularly diligent, from the great confidence 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.
And therefore, if Titus be inquired about, he is my associate and assistant among you: or if our other brethren, they are the legates of the churches of the Messiah'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.
Therefore exhibit ye to them, in the presence of all the churches, a demonstration of your love and of our glorying respecting you.
