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2 Corinthians 8
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1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;
1Now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace God has given to the churches in Macedonia.
2how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
2Even though they were going through a very hard time with many troubles, their great joy and extreme poverty overflowed into an outpouring of generous giving.
3For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
3I can tell you that they gave as much as they could afford, and even more than they could afford, doing this entirely on their own.
4beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
4They begged us urgently for the privilege of sharing in this service to God’s people.
5and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
5And they did more than we expected: first they gave themselves to the Lord and then to us, in keeping with God’s will.
6Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.
6So we encouraged Titus, since he had already started this work of grace among you, to help you finish it.
7But 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.
7You excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in total commitment, and in your love for us. See to it that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
8I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing how sincere your love is by comparing it with the dedication of others.
9For 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.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although he was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that through his poverty you might become rich.
10And 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.
10Here is my advice on this: it is best for you to finish what you started a year ago. You were the first ones who wanted to give, and the first ones to act.
11But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
11Now finish the task. Let your desire to do it be matched by your completion of it, giving out of what you have.
12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.
12If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable based on what a person has, not on what they do not have.
13For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed;
13Our goal is not to make life easy for others while making it hard for you. It is a matter of fairness.
14but 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:
14Right now, your plenty can help supply what they need, so that later their plenty can help supply what you need. In this way, there will be equality.
15as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.
15As it is written in the Scriptures: 'The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.'
16But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
16I thank God, who put the same deep concern for you into the heart of Titus.
17For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.
17He not only welcomed our request, but he is coming to see you of his own free will because he is so eager to help.
18And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches;
18And we are sending with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the Good News.
19and 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 show our readiness:
19What’s more, he was chosen by the churches to travel with us while we carry this generous gift. We do this to honor the Lord and to show our eagerness to help.
20avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:
20We are being careful so that no one can find fault with how we handle this large gift.
21for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
21We are trying to do what is right, not only in the Lord’s eyes but also in the eyes of people.
22And 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.
22We are also sending with them another brother who has proven to us many times in many ways that he is very dedicated. He is even more excited now because he has such great confidence in you.
23Whether 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.
23As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker in serving you. As for the other brothers, they represent the churches and bring glory to Christ.