2 Corinthians 8

1 And we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the charity of God, which is given by the congregations of Macedonia;

2 because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality;

that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their extreme poverty, superabounded to the riches of their liberality:

3 because, according to [their] power, I testify, and above [their] power, they were willing of themselves,

that to their power, (I bear witness, ) yes, beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; with much entreaty

4 with much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints,

requesting us to accept the charity and the participation of the service, which is for the saints.

5 and not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first to the Lord, and to us, through the will of God,

Yes, beyond our expectations; for they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

6 so that we exhorted Titus, that, according as he did begin before, so also he may finish to you also this favour,

This moved us to entreat Titus, that as he had formerly begun, so he would also finish the same charity among you likewise.

7 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;

Now as you abound in every gift, (in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, ) I wish that you may abound in this gift also.

8 not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,

I speak not this as an injunction, but on account of the diligence of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

9 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.

(For you know the charity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor; that you, through his poverty, might be rich.)

10 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,

And in this I give my opinion, not only to do, but also to be willing since the last year.

11 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,

At present, therefore, finish the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will; so also let there be to finish, according to your ability.

12 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;

For if there be a willing mind, according to what a person has, he is accepted; and not according to what he has not.

13 for not that for others release, and ye pressured, [do I speak, ]

However, I mean not that others should be eased and you distressed; but on account of equality,

14 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,

that now your abundance may be a supply for their want; that again, their abundance may be a supply for your want; that there may be an equality.

15 according as it hath been written, 'He who [did gather] much, had nothing over; and he who [did gather] little, had no lack.'

As it is written, "He who gathered much, had nothing over; and he who gathered little, had no lack."

16 And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,

Now thanks be to God, who has put the same earnest care concerning you, into the heart of Titus.

17 because indeed the exhortation he accepted, and being more diligent, of his own accord he went forth unto you,

For he, indeed, received an exhortation; but from his great earnestness, was going to you of his own accord.

18 and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news [is] through all the assemblies,

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

19 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;

And not only so, but who was also chosen by the congregations our fellow-traveler, with this charity, which is ministered by us, to the glory of the Lord himself, and of your readiness:

20 avoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,

using this precaution, that none may blame us in the distribution of this abundance;

21 providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before men;

premeditating things comely, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in sight of men.

22 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,

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes found diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, from the great confidence which he has in you.

23 whether — about Titus — my partner and towards you fellow-worker, whether — our brethren, apostles of assemblies — glory of Christ;

If any inquire concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow-laborer for you; or if our brethren be inquired of, they are Apostles of congregations, and a glory of Christ.

24 the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.

Wherefore, the proof of your love, and of our boasting concerning you, display before them, and before the face of the congregations.