2 Corinthians 8

1 But we desire to let you know, brethren, of the grace of God which has been bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia;

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous 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 I can testify that to the utmost of their power, and even beyond their power, they have of their own free will given help.

For to their power, I bear witness, and even beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4 With earnest entreaty they begged from us the favour of being allowed to share in the service now being rendered to God's people.

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

5 They not only did this, as we had expected, but first of all in obedience to God's will they gave their own selves to the Lord and to us.

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 This led us to urge Titus that, as he had previously been the one who commenced the work, so he should now go and complete among you this act of beneficence also.

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

7 Yes, just as you are already very rich in faith, readiness of speech, knowledge, unwearied zeal, and in the love that is in you, implanted by us, see to it that this grace of liberal giving also flourishes in you.

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 am not saying this by way of command, but to test by the standard of other men's earnestness the genuineness of your love also.

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the diligence of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

9 For you know the condescending goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ--how for your sakes He became poor, though He was rich, in order that you through His poverty might grow 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 But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this helps forward your own intentions, seeing that not only have you begun operations, but a year ago you already had the desire to do so.

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 willing a year ago.

11 And now complete the doing also, in order that, just as there was then the eagerness in desiring, there may now be the accomplishment in proportion to your means.

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, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not.

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 I do not urge you to give in order that others may have relief while you are unduly pressed,

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

14 but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having in the present emergency supplied their deficiency, their superfluity may in turn be a supply for your deficiency later on, so that there may be equalization of burdens.

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 Even as it is written, "He who gathered much had not too much, and he who gathered little had not too little."

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 that He inspires the heart of Titus with the same deep interest in you;

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

17 for Titus welcomed our request, and, being thoroughly in earnest, comes to you of his own free will.

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

18 And we send with him the brother whose praises for his earnestness in proclaiming the Good News are heard throughout all the Churches.

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

19 And more than that, he is the one who was chosen by the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory and gratify our own strong desire.

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 to show our ready mind:

20 For against one thing we are on our guard--I mean against blame being thrown upon us in respect to these large and liberal contributions which are under our charge.

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

21 For we seek not only God's approval of our integrity, but man's also.

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

22 And we send with them our brother, of whose zeal we have had frequent proof in many matters, and who is now more zealous than ever through the strong 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, remember that he is a partner with me, and is my comrade in my labours for you. And as for our brethren, remember that they are delegates from the Churches, and are men in whom Christ is glorified.

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

24 Exhibit therefore to the Churches a proof of your love, and a justification of our boasting to these brethren about you.

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