2 Corinthians 8
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;
But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia;
2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their [free-hearted] liberality.
3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,
For according to [their] power, I bear witness, and beyond [their] power, [they were] willing of their own accord,
4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
begging of us with much entreaty [to give effect to] the grace and fellowship of the service which [was to be rendered] to the saints.
5 and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.
And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will.
6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.
So that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also;
7 But as ye abound in everything, [in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all earnestness, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.
but even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
I do not speak as commanding [it], but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love.
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he, being rich, became poor, in order that ye by his poverty might be enriched.
10 And herein I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
And I give [my] opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.
11 But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability.
But now also complete the doing of it; so that as [there was] the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have.
12 For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according as [a man] hath, not according as [he] hath not.
For if the readiness be there, [a man is] accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not.
13 For [I say] not [this], that others may be eased, [and] ye distressed:
For [it is] not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress,
14 but by equality; your abundance [being a supply] at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become [a supply] for your want; that there may be equality:
but [on the principle] of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should be equality.
15 as it is written, He that [gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [gathered] little had no lack.
According as it is written, He who [gathered] much had no excess, and he who [gathered] little was nothing short.
16 But thanks be to God, which putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
But thanks [be] to God, who gives the same diligent zeal for you in the heart of Titus.
17 For indeed he accepted our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.
For he received indeed the entreaty, but, being full of zeal, he went of his own accord to you;
18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel [is spread] through all the churches;
but we have sent with him the brother whose praise [is] in the glad tidings through all the assemblies;
19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in [the matter of] this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and [to shew] our readiness:
and not only [so], but [is] also chosen by the assemblies as our fellow-traveller with this grace, ministered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and [a witness of] our readiness;
20 Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is ministered by us:
avoiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance [which is] administered by us;
21 for we take thought for things honourable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
for we provide for things honest, not only before [the] Lord, but also before men.
22 And 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 hath] in you.
And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved to be of diligent zeal in many things, and now more diligently zealous through the great confidence [he has] as to you.
23 Whether [any inquire] about Titus, [he is] my partner and [my] fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, [they are] the messengers of the churches, [they are] the glory of Christ.
Whether as regards Titus, [he is] my companion and fellow-labourer in your behalf; or our brethren, [they are] deputed messengers of assemblies, Christ's glory.
24 Shew ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.
Shew therefore to them, before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you.
