2 Corinthians 8

1 We doe you also to wit, brethren, of the grace of God bestowed vpon the Churches 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 great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie.

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

3 For to their power (I beare record) yea, and beyonde their power, they were willing,

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

4 And praied vs with great instance that we woulde receiue the grace, and fellowship of the ministring which is toward the Saints.

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

5 And this they did, not as we looked for: but gaue their owne selues, first to the Lord, and after vnto vs by 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 That we should exhort Titus, that as hee had begon, so he would also accomplish the same grace among you also.

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

7 Therefore, as yee abound in euery thing, in faith and woorde, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your loue towardes vs, euen so see that yee abound in this grace also.

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 This say I not by commandement, but because of the diligence of others: therefore prooue I the naturalnesse of your loue.

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

9 For ye knowe the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, that hee being rich, for your sakes became poore, that yee through his pouertie might be made 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 I shewe my minde herein: for this is expedient for you, which haue begun not to doe onely, but also to will, a yeare agoe.

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 Nowe therefore performe to doe it also, that as there was a readinesse to will, euen so yee may performe it of that which yee haue.

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 there be first a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that 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 Neither is it that other men should be eased and you grieued: But vpon like condition, at this time your abundance supplieth their lacke:

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

14 That also their aboundance may bee for your lacke, that there may be equalitie:

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 As it is written, Hee that gathered much, had nothing ouer, and hee that gathered litle, had not the lesse.

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

16 And thanks be vnto God, which hath put in the heart of Titus the same care for you.

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

17 Because hee accepted the exhortation, yea, hee was so carefull that of his owne accorde hee went vnto you.

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

18 And wee haue sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout al the Churches.

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

19 (And not so onely, but is also chosen of the Churches to be a fellowe in our iourney, concerning this grace that is ministred by vs vnto the glorie of the same Lord, and declaration of your prompt minde)

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 Auoiding this, that no man shoulde blame vs in this aboundance that is ministred by vs,

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

21 Prouiding for honest thinges, not onely 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 haue sent with them our brother, whom we haue oft times prooued to be diligent in many thinges, but nowe much more diligent, for the great confidence, which I haue in 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 any doe inquire of Titus, he is my fellowe and helper to you ward: or of our brethren, they are messengers of the Churches, and the glorie 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 Wherefore shew toward them, and before the Churches the proofe of your loue, and of the reioycing that we haue of you.

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