2 Corinthians 8

1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.

2 how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.

In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

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

For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,

4 begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.

they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

5 This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God.

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

So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.

7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us—see that you also abound in this grace.

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.

9 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.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

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

And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.

11 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.

Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.

12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.

For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

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

It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.

14 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.

At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.

15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

16 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.

17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.

For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.

18 We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies.

Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel.

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

More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering —the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.

20 We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.

21 Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.

22 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.

And we are sending along with them our brother whose earnestness has been proven many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.

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

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, to the glory of Christ.

24 Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.