2 Corinthians 8

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

Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given 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;

In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

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

For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. 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,

they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service 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 not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was 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,

So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.

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 just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

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

I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.

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 you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you 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 this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.

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,

Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.

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 eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

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

It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.

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,

At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will 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 who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

16 And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.

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

For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.

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

Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel.

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;

More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering —the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.

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

We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.

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

For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes 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 are sending along with them our brother whose earnestness has been proven many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.

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

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, to 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.

In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.