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;
notam autem facimus vobis fratres gratiam Dei quae data est in ecclesiis Macedoniae
2 how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality.
quod in multo experimento tribulationis abundantia gaudii ipsorum et altissima paupertas eorum abundavit in divitias simplicitatis eorum
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.
quia secundum virtutem testimonium illis reddo et supra virtutem voluntarii fuerunt
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.
cum multa exhortatione obsecrantes nos gratiam et communicationem ministerii quod fit in sanctos
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.
et non sicut speravimus sed semet ipsos dederunt primum Domino deinde nobis per voluntatem Dei
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.
ita ut rogaremus Titum ut quemadmodum coepit ita et perficiat in vos etiam gratiam istam
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.
sed sicut in omnibus abundatis fide et sermone et scientia et omni sollicitudine et caritate vestra in nos ut et in hac gratia abundetis
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.
non quasi imperans dico sed per aliorum sollicitudinem etiam vestrae caritatis ingenitum bonum conprobans
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.
scitis enim gratiam Domini nostri Iesu Christi quoniam propter vos egenus factus est cum esset dives ut illius inopia vos divites essetis
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.
et consilium in hoc do hoc enim vobis utile est qui non solum facere sed et velle coepistis ab anno priore
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.
nunc vero et facto perficite ut quemadmodum promptus est animus voluntatis ita sit et perficiendi ex eo quod habetis
12 For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not.
si enim voluntas prompta est secundum id quod habet accepta est non secundum quod non habet
13 I do not urge you to give in order that others may have relief while you are unduly pressed,
non enim ut aliis sit remissio vobis autem tribulatio sed ex aequalitate
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.
in praesenti tempore vestra abundantia illorum inopiam suppleat ut et illorum abundantia vestrae inopiae sit supplementum ut fiat aequalitas sicut scriptum est
15 Even as it is written, "He who gathered much had not too much, and he who gathered little had not too little."
qui multum non abundavit et qui modicum non minoravit
16 But thanks be to God that He inspires the heart of Titus with the same deep interest in you;
gratias autem Deo qui dedit eandem sollicitudinem pro vobis in corde Titi
17 for Titus welcomed our request, and, being thoroughly in earnest, comes to you of his own free will.
quoniam exhortationem quidem suscepit sed cum sollicitior esset sua voluntate profectus est ad vos
18 And we send with him the brother whose praises for his earnestness in proclaiming the Good News are heard throughout all the Churches.
misimus etiam cum illo fratrem cuius laus est in evangelio per omnes ecclesias
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.
non solum autem sed et ordinatus ab ecclesiis comes peregrinationis nostrae in hac gratia quae ministratur a nobis ad Domini gloriam et destinatam voluntatem nostram
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.
devitantes hoc ne quis nos vituperet in hac plenitudine quae ministratur a nobis
21 For we seek not only God's approval of our integrity, but man's also.
providemus enim bona non solum coram Deo sed etiam coram hominibus
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.
misimus autem cum illis et fratrem nostrum quem probavimus in multis saepe sollicitum esse nunc autem multo sollicitiorem confidentia multa in vos
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.
sive pro Tito qui est socius meus et in vos adiutor sive fratres nostri apostoli ecclesiarum gloriae Christi
24 Exhibit therefore to the Churches a proof of your love, and a justification of our boasting to these brethren about you.
ostensionem ergo quae est caritatis vestrae et nostrae gloriae pro vobis in illos ostendite in faciem ecclesiarum
