2 Corinthians 8

1Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.

1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;

2That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.

2how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3For according to their power (I bear them witness) and beyond their power, they were willing:

3For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

4With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.

4beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:

5And not as we hoped: but they gave their own selves, first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God;

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.

6Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that, as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.

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

7That as in all things you abound in faith and word and knowledge and all carefulness, moreover also in your charity towards us: so in this grace also you may abound.

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.

8I speak not as commanding: but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.

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

9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor for your sakes: that through his poverty you might be rich.

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.

10And herein I give my advice: for this is profitable for you who have begun not only to do but also to be willing, a year ago.

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.

11Now therefore perform ye it also in deed: that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.

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.

12For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath: not according to that which he hath not.

12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.

13For I mean not that others should be eased and you burdened, but by an equality.

13For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed;

14In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want: that there may be an equality,

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:

15As it is written: He that had much had nothing over; and he that had little had no want.

15as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.

16And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.

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

17For indeed he accepted the exhortation: but, being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.

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

18We have sent also with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches.

18And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches;

19And not that only: but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord and our determined will:

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:

20Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.

20avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:

21For we forecast what may be good, not only before God but also before men.

21for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent: with much confidence in you,

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.

23Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

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.

24Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity and of our boasting on your behalf.

24Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.