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;

ASIMISMO, hermanos, os hacemos saber la gracia de Dios que ha sido dada á las iglesias de Macedonia:

2 how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality.

Que en grande prueba de tribulación, la abundancia de su gozo y su profunda pobreza abundaron en riquezas de su bondad.

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.

Pues de su grado [han dado] conforme á sus fuerzas, yo testifico, y aun sobre sus fuerzas;

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.

Pidiéndonos con muchos ruegos, que aceptásemos la gracia y la comunicación del servicio para los santos.

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.

Y no como [lo] esperábamos, mas aun á sí mismos se dieron primeramente al Señor, y á nosotros por la voluntad de Dios.

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.

De manera que exhortamos á Tito, que como comenzó antes, así también acabe esta gracia entre vosotros también.

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.

Por tanto, como en todo abundáis, en fe, y en palabra, y en ciencia, y en toda solicitud, y en vuestro amor para con nosotros, que también abundéis en esta gracia.

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.

No hablo como quien manda, sino para poner á prueba, por la eficacia de otros, la sinceridad también de la caridad vuestra.

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.

Porque ya sabéis la gracia de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que por amor de vosotros se hizo pobre, siendo rico; para que vosotros con su pobreza fueseis enriquecidos.

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.

Y en esto doy [mi] consejo; porque esto os conviene á vosotros, que comenzasteis antes, no sólo á hacerlo, mas aun á quererlo desde el año pasado.

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.

Ahora pues, llevad también á cabo el hecho, para que como [estuvisteis] prontos á querer, así también [lo estéis] en cumplir conforme á lo que tenéis.

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

Porque si primero hay la voluntad pronta, será acepta por lo que tiene, no por lo que no tiene.

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

Porque no [digo esto] para que haya para otros desahogo, y para vosotros apretura;

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.

Sino para que en este tiempo, con igualdad, vuestra abundancia supla la falta de ellos, para que también la abundancia de ellos supla vuestra falta, porque haya igualdad;

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

Como está escrito: El que [recogió] mucho, no tuvo más; y el que poco, no tuvo menos.

16 But thanks be to God that He inspires the heart of Titus with the same deep interest in you;

Empero gracias á Dios que dió la misma solicitud por vosotros en el corazón de Tito.

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

Pues á la verdad recibió la exhortación; mas estando también muy solícito, de su voluntad partió para vosotros.

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

Y enviamos juntamente con él al hermano cuya alabanza en el evangelio [es] por todas las iglesias;

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.

Y no sólo esto, mas también fué ordenado por las iglesias el compañero de nuestra peregrinación para [llevar] esta gracia, que es administrada de nosotros para gloria del mismo Señor, y [para demostrar] vuestro pronto ánimo:

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.

Evitando que nadie nos vitupere en esta abundancia que ministramos;

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

Procurando las cosas honestas, no sólo delante del Señor, mas aun delante de los hombres.

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.

Enviamos también con ellos á nuestro hermano, al cual muchas veces hemos experimentado diligente, mas ahora mucho más con la mucha confianza que [tiene] en vosotros.

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.

Ora en orden á Tito, [es] mi compañero y coadjutor para con vosotros; ó [acerca de] nuestros hermanos, los mensajeros [son] de las iglesias, y la gloria de Cristo.

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

Mostrad pues, para con ellos á la faz de las iglesias la prueba de vuestro amor, y de nuestra gloria acerca de vosotros.