2 Corinthians 8

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

We doe you also to wit, brethren, of the grace of God bestowed vpon 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.

Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie.

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

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

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

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

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

That we should exhort Titus, that as hee had begon, so he would also accomplish the same grace among you also.

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 there be first a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

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

Neither is it that other men should be eased and you grieued: But vpon like condition, at this time your abundance supplieth their lacke:

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.

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

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, Hee that gathered much, had nothing ouer, and hee that gathered litle, had not the lesse.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

(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)

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

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

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

Prouiding for honest thinges, not onely before the Lord, but also before 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 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.

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.

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.

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

Wherefore shew toward them, and before the Churches the proofe of your loue, and of the reioycing that we haue of you.