2 Corinthians 8

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on 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 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 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 bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;

For I testify that, according to their ability, and beyond their ability, in the spontaneity of their mind,

4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to 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 hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us 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 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

So that we requested Titus, that as he had begun, so he would perfect in you also the same beneficence.

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.

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 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 mind, [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 For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

For it is not, that others may have easement, and you pressure;

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 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, He that [had gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [had gathered] little had no lack.

As it is written, He who gathered much, had nothing over; and he that gathered little, was not deficient.

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

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus this solicitude for you.

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

For he received our exhortation; and, because he was very anxious, he cheerfully set out to visit you.

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

And we also sent with him that our brother, whose praise in the gospel is in all the churches;

19 And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches 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:

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

And we hereby guarded, that no one should cast censure on us, in respect to this abundance which is ministered by us.

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

For we are attentive to things commendable, not only before God, but also before 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 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 do enquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren [be enquired of, they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] the glory 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 ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Therefore exhibit ye to them, in the presence of all the churches, a demonstration of your love and of our glorying respecting you.