< 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;
And we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,
2 how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality.
because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound 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.
because, according to [their] power, I testify, and above [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.
with much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration 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 not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first to the Lord, and to us, through 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 exhorted Titus, that, according as he did begin before, so also he may finish to you also this favour,
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.
but even as in every thing ye do abound, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, that also in this grace ye may abound;
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.
not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,
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 because of you he became poor — being rich, that ye by that poverty may become 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 an opinion in this do I give: for this to you [is] expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before — 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.
and now also finish doing [it], that even as [there is] the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, 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 the willing mind is present, according to that which any one may have it is well-accepted, not according to that which he hath not;
13 I do not urge you to give in order that others may have relief while you are unduly pressed,
for not that for others release, and ye pressured, [do I speak, ]
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 equality, at the present time your abundance — for their want, that also their abundance may be 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."
according as it hath been written, 'He who [did gather] much, had nothing over; and he who [did gather] little, had no lack.'
16 But thanks be to God that He inspires the heart of Titus with the same deep interest in you;
And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,
17 for Titus welcomed our request, and, being thoroughly in earnest, comes to you of his own free will.
because indeed the exhortation he accepted, and being more diligent, of his own accord he went forth unto 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 sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news [is] through all the assemblies,
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 only so, but who was also appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveller, with this favour that is ministered by us, unto the glory of the same Lord, and your willing 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, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,
21 For we seek not only God's approval of our integrity, but man's also.
providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before 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 sent with them our brother, whom we proved in many things many times being diligent, and now much more diligent, by the great confidence that is toward 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.
whether — about Titus — my partner and towards you fellow-worker, whether — our brethren, apostles of assemblies — 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.
the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.