2 Corinthians 8

1Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;● 2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. {liberality: Gr. simplicity}● 3For to {their} power, I bear record, yea, and beyond {their} power {they were} willing of themselves;● 4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and {take upon us} the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.● 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.● 6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. {grace: or, gift}● 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.● 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, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.● 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. {forward: Gr. willing}● 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 there be first a willing mind, {it is} accepted according to that a man hath, {and} not according to that he hath not.● 13For {I mean} not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:● 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:● 15As it is written, He that {had gathered} much had nothing over; and he that {had gathered} little had no lack.● 16But thanks {be} to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.● 17For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.● 18And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise {is} in the gospel throughout all the churches;● 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: {grace: or, gift}● 20Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:● 21Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.● 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. {I have: or, he hath}● 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.● 24Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.●