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 make known to you 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.

That in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality.

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

For to [their] power, I bear testimony, and even 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 to 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.

So 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 ye abound in every [thing], [in] faith and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye 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.

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 ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye 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 in this 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 finish the doing [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out of that which ye 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 is first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to what a man hath, [and] not according to what he hath not.

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

For [I mean] not that other men should be eased, and 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 want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: 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 want.

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

But thanks [be] to God, who put the same earnest 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 to 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 by 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 often proved [to be] 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.

If [any inquire] concerning Titus, [he is] my partner and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren [be inquired 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 ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.