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, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches 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;

how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.

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

For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

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

begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to 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,

This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves 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,

So we urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

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;

But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love from us that is in you, see that you also abound in this grace.

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 by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also 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 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become 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,

I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

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,

But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of 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 the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have.

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

For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,

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,

but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be 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 left 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,

But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for 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 accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out 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,

We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known through all the churches.

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;

Not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.

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

We are avoiding this, that no one should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

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

For we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of others.

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,

We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of 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;

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are apostles of the churches, the 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.

Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the churches, and of our boasting about you.