Corinthios Ii 8
1 Notam autem facimus vobis, fratres, gratiam Dei, quæ data est in ecclesiis Macedoniæ:
Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God shown to the Macedonian churches.
2 quod in multo experimento tribulationis abundantia gaudii ipsorum fuit, et altissima paupertas eorum, abundavit in divitias simplicitatis eorum:
Even though they have suffered terrible trouble, they are overflowing with happiness; and even though they are very poor, they are also overflowing in their generosity.
3 quia secundum virtutem testimonium illis reddo, et supra virtutem voluntarii fuerunt,
I can confirm that they gave what they could, in fact even more than that! By their own choice
4 cum multa exhortatione obsecrantes nos gratiam, et communicationem ministerii, quod fit in sanctos.
they kept on pleading with us to have a part in this privilege of sharing in this ministry to God's people.
5 Et non sicut speravimus, sed semetipsos dederunt primum Domino, deinde nobis per voluntatem Dei,
They didn't just do what we hoped they would do, but they gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us, as God wanted them to do.
6 ita ut rogaremus Titum, ut quemadmodum cœpit, ita et perficiat in vobis etiam gratiam istam.
So we have encouraged Titus—since it was he who started this work with you—to return and complete this gracious ministry of yours.
7 Sed sicut in omnibus abundatis fide, et sermone, et scientia, et omni sollicitudine, insuper et caritate vestra in nos, ut et in hac gratia abundetis.
Since you have an abundance of everything—your trust in God, your eloquence, your spiritual knowledge, your complete dedication, and in your love for us—make sure that your abundance also extends to this gracious ministry of giving.
8 Non quasi imperans dico: sed per aliorum sollicitudinem, etiam vestræ caritatis ingenium bonum comprobans.
I'm not ordering you to do this, but to prove how sincere your love is in comparison with the dedication of others.
9 Scitis enim gratiam Domini nostri Jesu Christi, quoniam propter vos egenus factus est, cum esset dives, ut illius inopia vos divites essetis.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though he was rich, he became poor for you, so that through his poverty you could become rich.
10 Et consilium in hoc do: hoc enim vobis utile est, qui non solum facere, sed et velle cœpistis ab anno priore:
This is my advice: it would be good if you finished what you started. Last year you were not only the first to give but the first to want to do so.
11 nunc vero et facto perficite: ut quemadmodum promptus est animus voluntatis, ita sit et perficiendi ex eo quod habetis.
Now finish what you planned to do. Be as keen to finish as you were to plan, and give as you are able.
12 Si enim voluntas prompta est, secundum id quod habet, accepta est, non secundum id quod non habet.
If the willingness is there, it's fine to give what you have, not what you don't have!
13 Non enim ut aliis sit remissio, vobis autem tribulatio, sed ex æqualitate.
This is not to make things easier for others and harder for you, but simply to be fair.
14 In præsenti tempore vestra abundantia illorum inopiam suppleat: ut et illorum abundantia vestræ inopiæ sit supplementum, ut fiat æqualitas, sicut scriptum est:
At the moment you have more than enough and can meet their needs, and in turn when they have more than enough they can meet your needs. In that way everyone is treated fairly.
15 Qui multum, non abundavit: et qui modicum, non minoravit.
As Scripture says, “The one who had much didn't have any excess, and the one who didn't have much didn't have too little.”
16 Gratias autem Deo, qui dedit eamdem sollicitudinem pro vobis in corde Titi,
Thanks be to God that he gave to Titus the same devotion for you that I have.
17 quoniam exhortationem quidem suscepit: sed cum sollicitior esset, sua voluntate profectus est ad vos.
Though he agreed to do what we told him, he's coming to see you because he really wants to, and had already decided to do so.
18 Misimus etiam cum illo fratrem, cujus laus est in Evangelio per omnes ecclesias:
We're also sending with him a brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the good news.
19 non solum autem, sed et ordinatus est ab ecclesiis comes peregrinationis nostræ in hanc gratiam, quæ ministratur a nobis ad Domini gloriam, et destinatam voluntatem nostram:
He was also appointed by the churches to go with us as we deliver this gracious offering we're carrying. We do this to honor the Lord and to show our eagerness to help others.
20 devitantes hoc, ne quis nos vituperet in hac plenitudine, quæ ministratur a nobis.
We want to guard against anyone criticizing us about how we use this gift.
21 Providemus enim bona non solum coram Deo, sed etiam coram hominibus.
We're concerned to do things the right way, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of everyone.
22 Misimus autem cum illis et fratrem nostrum, quem probavimus in multis sæpe sollicitum esse: nunc autem multo sollicitiorem, confidentia multa in vos,
We're also sending with them another brother who has proved to be reliable on many occasions, and who is eager to help. He is now even more eager to help because of the great confidence he has in you.
23 sive pro Tito, qui est socius meus, et in vos adjutor, sive fratres nostri, Apostoli ecclesiarum, gloria Christi.
If anyone asks about Titus, he is my companion. He works with me on your behalf. The other brothers are representatives from the churches and an honor to Christ.
24 Ostensionem ergo, quæ est caritatis vestræ, et nostræ gloriæ pro vobis, in illos ostendite in faciem ecclesiarum.
So please welcome them before all the churches and show them your love, proving how rightly proud we are of you.
