2 Corinthians 8
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the favour of YHWH bestowed on the assemblies of Macedonia;
Now we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God conferred on the churches of Macedonia:
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
how in a great trial of affliction, their abundant chearfulness and their deep poverty, hath munificently shewn the riches of their bounty.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
For to their power, I bear them witness, yea and beyond their power, they contributed of their own accord:
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
intreating us with much importunity, that we would convey the gift, and so take upon us a part of the ministration to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to YHWH, and unto us by the will of YHWH.
And this they did not merely as we hoped, but first gave themselves unto the Lord, and to us by the will of God.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same favour also.
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had already begun, so he would also complete this grace among you.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this favour also.
And as ye abound in every other grace, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
I speak not by way of command, but to prove the sincerity of your love also, by means of the forwardness of others.
9 For ye know the favour of our Master Yahushua the Messiah, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be 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 by his poverty might be rich.
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
And herein I give my opinion: for this is to your advantage, who not only began to act, but also to be forward to it above a year ago.
11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
Now therefore perfect also the doing it; that as there was a readiness of will, so there may be also a performance according to your ability.
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
For if there be first a willing mind, any me is accepted according to what he hath, not according to what he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
For I do not mean that others should have relief, and you be burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
but by an equality, that your abundance may at this time be a supply to their want; and their abundance may be the like to your want, if need be: that there may be an equality:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
as it is written, "He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack."
16 But thanks be to YHWH, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
But thanks be to God, who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus:
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
for he not only complied with the exhortation, but being more forward he went to you of his own accord.
18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the glad tidings throughout all the assemblies;
And we have sent along with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches:
19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the assemblies to travel with us with this favour, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Master, and declaration of your ready mind:
(and not only so, but he was also chosen by the churches to accompany us with this grace, which is administered by us for the glory of the same Lord, and to shew your readiness of mind: )
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
hereby taking care that no one might blame us in the disposal of this large sum which is administered by us:
21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of YHWH, but also in the sight of men.
looking to things that are right not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
And we have sent with them another brother of ours, whom we have often proved diligent in many things, and now I doubt not much more on account of his great confidence in you.
23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the assemblies, and the glory of the Messiah.
If then there be any inquiry about Titus, he is my collegue and fellow-laborer among you: and if our brethren be inquired after, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Therefore shew to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and the justness of our boasting concerning you.
