2 Corinthians 8

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

Moreover, brethren, we do you to know of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 how that in much proof of affliction 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 unto the riches of their liberality.

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

In order to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

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

Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

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.

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

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

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

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.

Therefore, as all of you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, (logos) and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love (agape) to us, see that all of you abound in this grace also.

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

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (agape)

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 all of you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that all of you through his poverty might be 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.

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 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 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 all of you have.

12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do 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 this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,

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

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.

But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their lack, that their abundance also may be a supply for your lack: that there may be equality:

15 As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left 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 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

But thanks be to God, which put the same earn care into the heart of Titus for you.

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

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

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

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

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.

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

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

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

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

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.

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have 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.

Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

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

Wherefore show all of you to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, (agape) and of our boasting on your behalf.