2 Corinthians 8

1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed upon the Assemblies of Macedonia;

And, brothers, we declare to you the grace of God that has been given in the congregations 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.

that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy, even from the depth of their poverty, abounded for the wealth of their generosity,

3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

so that according to their ability, I testify, and beyond their ability, willingly,

4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

with much exhortation, begging of us the favor, even the fellowship of service for the sanctified.

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

And it was not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us through the will of God,

6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

for us to urge Titus that, as he earlier began this kindness, so he would even finish it for you also.

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 grace also.

But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, so that ye may also abound in this kindness.

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 from commandment, but because of the zeal of others, also examining the genuineness of your love.

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 although he was rich he became poor for your sakes, so that by that man's poverty ye might become 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 in this I give judgment, for this is expedient for you who earlier began, from a year ago, not only the doing but also the intending.

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.

And now also finish the doing, so that just as was the willingness of the intending, so also to finish from the having.

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 the willingness is present, it is acceptable to the extent if some man has, not to the extent he does not have.

13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

For it is not so that ease is for others and stress for you, but out of parity your abundance at the present time is for the need of those men.

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:

So that the abundance of those men may also happen for your need, so that there may become equity,

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 of much did not abound, and he of little did not lack.

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

But thanks to God who gives the same eagerness for you in the heart of Titus.

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

Because he indeed accepted the exhortation, but his own will being more zealous, he went forth to you.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the Assemblies;

And we sent along with him the brother whose praise in the good news is throughout all the congregations.

19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the Assemblies to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

And not only so, but who was also chosen by the congregations, a traveling companion of us with this gift administered by us, for the glory of the same Lord and our willingness.

20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

Arranging this lest any man may criticize us in this bounty administered by us,

21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

providing things 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 sent along with them our brother whom we often proved being diligent in many things, but is now much more diligent (with much confidence toward 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 Christ.

whether on behalf of Titus my partner and co-workman for you, or our brothers, apostles of congregations, a 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 show ye the proof of your love and our boast about you, for them in the face of the congregations.