2 Corinthians 8

1 And we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God, that has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;

2 because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality;

how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3 because, according to [their] power, I testify, and above [their] power, they were willing of themselves,

For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,

4 with much plea calling on us to receive the favor and the fellowship of the ministry to the holy ones,

beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:

5 and not according as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the LORD, and to us, through the will of God,

and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

6 so that we exhorted Titus, that, according as he began before, so also he may also finish this favor to you,

Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

7 but even as in everything you abound, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, that also in this grace you may abound;

But as ye abound in everything, [in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all earnestness, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.

8 I do not speak according to command, but because of the diligence of others, and proving the genuineness of your love,

I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

9 for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you He became poor—being rich, that you may become rich by that poverty.

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 become rich.

10 And I give an opinion in this: for this [is] expedient to you, who not only to do, but also to will, began before—a year ago,

And herein I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

11 and now also finish doing [it], that even as [there is] the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which you have,

But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability.

12 for if the willing mind is present, it is well-accepted according to that which anyone may have, not according to that which he does not have;

For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according as [a man] hath, not according as [he] hath not.

13 for I do not speak that for others [to be] released, and you pressured,

For [I say] not [this] that others may be eased [and] ye distressed;

14 but by equality, at the present time your abundance—for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may be equality,

but by equality: your abundance [being a supply] at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become [a supply] for your want; that there may be equality:

15 according as it has been written: “He who [gathered] much, had nothing over; and he who [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 And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,

But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

17 because he indeed accepted the exhortation, and being more diligent, he went forth to you of his own accord,

For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.

18 and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news [is] through all the assemblies,

And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel [is spread] through all the churches;

19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveler, with this favor that is ministered by us, to the glory of the same Lord, and your willing mind;

and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in [the matter of] this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and [to show] our readiness:

20 avoiding this, lest anyone may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,

avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is ministered by us:

21 providing right things, not only before the LORD, but also before men;

for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22 and we sent our brother with them, whom we proved being diligent many times in many things, and now much more diligent, by the great confidence that is toward you,

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which [he hath] in you.

23 whether—about Titus—my partner and fellow-worker toward you, whether—our brothers, apostles of assemblies—glory of Christ;

Whether [any inquire] about Titus, [he is] my partner and [my] fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, [they are] the messengers of the churches, [they are] the glory of Christ.

24 the showing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, show to them, even in the face of the assemblies.

Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.