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 we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God conferred on 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.

how in a great trial of affliction, their abundant chearfulness and their deep poverty, hath munificently shewn the riches of their bounty.

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

For to their power, I bear them witness, yea and beyond their power, they contributed of their own accord:

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

intreating us with much importunity, that we would convey the gift, and so take upon us a part of the ministration 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 this they did not merely as we hoped, but first gave themselves unto the Lord, and to us 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.

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had already begun, so he would also complete this grace among you.

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.

And as ye abound in every other grace, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love 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 speak not by way of command, but to prove the sincerity of your love also, by means of the forwardness 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 ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye by his poverty might be 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 herein I give my opinion: for this is to your advantage, who not only began to act, but also to be forward to it above a year ago.

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 therefore perfect also the doing it; that as there was a readiness of will, so there may be also a performance according to your ability.

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 mind, any me is accepted according to what he hath, not according to what he hath not.

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

For I do not mean that others should have relief, and you be burdened:

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.

but by an equality, that your abundance may at this time be a supply to their want; and their abundance may be the like to your want, if need be: that there may be an 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 that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack."

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 the same concern for you into the heart of Titus:

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

for he not only complied with the exhortation, but being more forward he went to you of his own accord.

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

And we have sent along with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is spread through all 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 only so, but he was also chosen by the churches to accompany us with this grace, which is administered by us for the glory of the same Lord, and to shew your readiness of mind: )

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

hereby taking care that no one might blame us in the disposal of this large sum which is administered by us:

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

looking to things that are right not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight 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 have sent with them another brother of ours, whom we have often proved diligent in many things, and now I doubt not much more on account of 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.

If then there be any inquiry about Titus, he is my collegue and fellow-laborer among you: and if our brethren be inquired after, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

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

Therefore shew to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and the justness of our boasting concerning you.