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, brothers, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on 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 a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.

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

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

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

Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take on us the fellowship of 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 they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by 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 that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same 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;

Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you 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 commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity 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 you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be 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 advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

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 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 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 if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not.

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

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

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 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:

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 had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had 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, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

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

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

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

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in 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 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:

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

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

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

Providing for honest things, 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 oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, on the great confidence which I have in you.

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

Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brothers be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and 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.

Why show you to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.