2 Corinthians 8

1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia;

Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God shown to the Macedonian churches.

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

Even though they have suffered terrible trouble, they are overflowing with happiness; and even though they are very poor, they are also overflowing in their generosity.

3 For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

I can confirm that they gave what they could, in fact even more than that! By their own choice

4 begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.

they kept on pleading with us to have a part in this privilege of sharing in this ministry to God's people.

5 This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

They didn't just do what we hoped they would do, but they gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us, as God wanted them to do.

6 So we urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

So we have encouraged Titus—since it was he who started this work with you—to return and complete this gracious ministry of yours.

7 But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love from us that is in you, see that you also abound in this grace.

Since you have an abundance of everything—your trust in God, your eloquence, your spiritual knowledge, your complete dedication, and in your love for us—make sure that your abundance also extends to this gracious ministry of giving.

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

I'm not ordering you to do this, but to prove how sincere your love is in comparison with the dedication of others.

9 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 become rich.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though he was rich, he became poor for you, so that through his poverty you could become rich.

10 I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

This is my advice: it would be good if you finished what you started. Last year you were not only the first to give but the first to want to do so.

11 But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.

Now finish what you planned to do. Be as keen to finish as you were to plan, and give as you are able.

12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have.

If the willingness is there, it's fine to give what you have, not what you don't have!

13 For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,

This is not to make things easier for others and harder for you, but simply to be fair.

14 but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality.

At the moment you have more than enough and can meet their needs, and in turn when they have more than enough they can meet your needs. In that way everyone is treated fairly.

15 As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

As Scripture says, “The one who had much didn't have any excess, and the one who didn't have much didn't have too little.”

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

Thanks be to God that he gave to Titus the same devotion for you that I have.

17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.

Though he agreed to do what we told him, he's coming to see you because he really wants to, and had already decided to do so.

18 We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known through all the churches.

We're also sending with him a brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the good news.

19 Not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.

He was also appointed by the churches to go with us as we deliver this gracious offering we're carrying. We do this to honor the Lord and to show our eagerness to help others.

20 We are avoiding this, that no one should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

We want to guard against anyone criticizing us about how we use this gift.

21 For we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of others.

We're concerned to do things the right way, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of everyone.

22 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 has in you.

We're also sending with them another brother who has proved to be reliable on many occasions, and who is eager to help. He is now even more eager to help because of the great confidence he has in you.

23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

If anyone asks about Titus, he is my companion. He works with me on your behalf. The other brothers are representatives from the churches and an honor to Christ.

24 Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the churches, and of our boasting about you.

So please welcome them before all the churches and show them your love, proving how rightly proud we are of you.