2 Corinthians 8
1 And we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God, that has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,
And so we are making known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has 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;
For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity.
3 because, according to [their] power, I testify, and above [their] power, they were willing of themselves,
And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability.
4 with much plea calling on us to receive the favor and the fellowship of the ministry to the holy ones,
For they were begging us, with great exhortation, for the grace and the communication of the ministry that is with 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 is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also 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,
so much so that we petitioned Titus, that in the same manner as he had begun, he would also complete in you this same grace.
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 in all things you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all solicitude, and even more so in your charity toward us, so also may you abound in this grace.
8 I do not speak according to command, but because of the diligence of others, and proving the genuineness of your love,
I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.
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, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you 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 about this, I give my counsel. For this is useful to those of you who, only a year earlier, had just begun to act, or even to be willing to act.
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,
So, truly now, accomplish this in deed, so that, in the same manner as your willing mind is prompted, you may also act, out of that which you have.
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 when the will is prompted, it receives according to what that person has, not according to what that person does not have.
13 for I do not speak that for others [to be] released, and you pressured,
And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should be an 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,
In this present time, let your abundance supply their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be an equality, just as it was written:
15 according as it has been written: “He who [gathered] much, had nothing over; and he who [gathered] little, had no lack.”
“He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little.”
16 And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,
But thanks be to God, who has granted to the heart of Titus, this same solicitude for you.
17 because he indeed accepted the exhortation, and being more diligent, he went forth to you of his own accord,
For certainly, he accepted the exhortation. But since he was more solicitous, he went to you of his own free will.
18 and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news [is] through all the assemblies,
And we have even sent with him a brother whose praise accompanies the Gospel throughout 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 that, but he was also chosen by the churches to be a companion for our sojourn in this grace, which is ministered by us with our determined will, to the glory of the Lord.
20 avoiding this, lest anyone may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,
So let us avoid this, lest anyone disparage us over the abundance that is ministered by us.
21 providing right things, not only before the LORD, but also before men;
For we provide for what is good, not only in the sight of God, 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 also sent with them our brother, whom we have proven to be frequently solicitous in many matters. But now there is a greater solicitousness, which is greatly entrusted to you;
23 whether—about Titus—my partner and fellow-worker toward you, whether—our brothers, apostles of assemblies—glory of Christ;
and whether it concerns Titus, who is a companion to me and a helper to you, or whether it concerns our brothers, the Apostles of the churches, it is 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.
Therefore, in the sight of the churches, show them the proof of your charity and of our glorying about you.
