2 Corinthians 8 (RV)

1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.

2how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

3For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,

4beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

5and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, through the will of God.

6Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started 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.But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see 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.I am not giving a command, but I am testing the sincerity of your love through the earnestness 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.For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty 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.And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.

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.Now finish the work, so that you may complete it with the same eager desire, according to your means.

12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

13For I say not this, that others may be eased, and ye distressed:It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be 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:At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. 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.As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

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

17For indeed he accepted our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.

18And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches;Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel.

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 shew our readiness:More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the gracious offering we administer to honor the Lord Himself 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:We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.

21for we take thought for things honourable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.

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.And we are sending along with them our brother who has proven his earnestness to us many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his 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.As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

24Shew ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.

2 Corinthians 8

Generosity Commended

Titus Commended

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