2 Corinthians 8

1And we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

1Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality;

2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3because, according to <FI>their<Fi> power, I testify, and above <FI>their<Fi> power, they were willing of themselves,

3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4with much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints,

4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

5and not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first to the Lord, and to us, through the will of God,

5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

6so that we exhorted Titus, that, according as he did begin before, so also he may finish to you also this favour,

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

7but even as in every thing ye do abound, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, that also in this grace ye may abound;

7Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

8not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,

8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

9for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you he became poor--being rich, that ye by that poverty may become 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 be rich.

10and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you <FI>is<Fi> expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before--a year ago,

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

11and now also finish doing <FI>it<Fi> , that even as <FI>there is<Fi> the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have,

11Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

12for if the willing mind is present, according to that which any one may have it is well-accepted, not according to that which he hath not;

12For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

13for not that for others release, and ye pressured, <FI>do I speak,<Fi>

13For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

14but by equality, at the present time your abundance--for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may be equality,

14But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

15according as it hath been written, `He who <FI>did gather<Fi> much, had nothing over; and he who <FI>did gather<Fi> little, had no lack.'

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

16And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,

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

17because indeed the exhortation he accepted, and being more diligent, of his own accord he went forth unto you,

17For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

18and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news <FI>is<Fi> through all the assemblies,

18And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

19and not only so, but who was also appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveller, with this favour that is ministered by us, unto the glory of the same Lord, and your willing mind;

19And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

20avoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,

20Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

21providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before men;

21Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22and we sent with them our brother, whom we proved in many things many times being diligent, and now much more diligent, by the great confidence that is toward you,

22And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

23whether--about Titus--my partner and towards you fellow-worker, whether--our brethren, apostles of assemblies--glory of Christ;

23Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

24the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.

24Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.