Chapter 8

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

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

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

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

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  and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.  

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

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  But 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.  

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

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  For 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.  

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  And 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.  

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  But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability.  

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

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

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  but 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:  

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

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

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

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

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  and 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:  

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  Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is ministered by us:  

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

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  and 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.  

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  Whether [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.  

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

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