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 to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia.

2 Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie.

During a severe trial of affliction, their abundant joy and their deep poverty abounded in a wealth of generosity on their part.

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 even beyond their ability, 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.

urgently begging us for the privilege of contributing to the gift for the saints in Jerusalem.

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 they did not do this in the way we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and 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.

So we have urged Titus, who previously encouraged you to begin gathering money, to return and help you complete this gracious gift.

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 you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in your love for us—make sure you abound in this gracious gift as well.

8 This say I not by commandement, but because of the diligence of others: therefore prooue I the naturalnesse of your loue.

I am not saying this as a command, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

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 though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you could 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.

So I am giving my advice about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were not only the first who wanted to give, but you were also the first to begin doing so.

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 finish doing it, so that your eager willingness to give may be matched by your completion of the gift, according to what 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 eager willingness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

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:

I do not mean there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a matter of equality. At the present time your abundance should provide for their need,

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

so that in turn their abundance may provide for your need, and thus 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 left over, and he who 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 has put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care for you that I have.

17 Because hee accepted the exhortation, yea, hee was so carefull that of his owne accorde hee went vnto you.

For Titus not only accepted our appeal, but with great enthusiasm he is coming to 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.

With him we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.

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 that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we administer this gracious gift for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our eager willingness to help.

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

We are taking this precaution so that no one will discredit us with respect to this large sum that we are administering.

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

For we are giving careful thought to do what is right, 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.

We are also sending with them our brother whom we have often tested and found to be earnest in many matters, and now he is even more earnest because of his great 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.

If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service. If there is any question about our brothers, they are delegates 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.

Therefore show them in front of all the churches the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.