2 Corinthians 8
1 Moreover, brethren, we
do you to
wit of the
grace of
God bestowed on the
churches of
Macedonia; 2 How
that in a
great trial of
affliction the
abundance of
their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the
riches of
their liberality. 3 For to their
power, I bear
record, yea,
and beyond their
power they were willing of
themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that
we would
receive the
gift, and take upon us the
fellowship of the
ministering to the
saints. 5 And this they did,
not as we
hoped,
but first gave their own
selves to the
Lord, and unto
us by the
will of
God. 6 Insomuch that
we desired Titus, that as he had
begun,
so he
would also finish in you the
same grace also. 7 Therefore, 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. 8 I
speak not by commandment, but by
occasion of the
forwardness of
others, and to
prove the
sincerity of
your love. 9 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 be
rich.
10 And 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. 11 Now 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.
12 For if
there be
first a willing
mind, it is
accepted according
to that a
man hath, and
not according to
that he
hath not. 13 For I mean
not that other
men be
eased, and ye burdened: 14 But 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: 15 As it is
written, He that had
gathered much had nothing over;
and he that had
gathered little had no lack.
16 But thanks be to
God, which put the
same earnest
care into the
heart of
Titus for you. 17 For indeed he
accepted the
exhortation; but being more
forward, of his own
accord he
went unto you. 18 And we have
sent with him the
brother, whose praise is
in the
gospel throughout all the
churches; 19 And 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: 20 Avoiding this, that
no man should
blame us in this abundance which is
administered by us: 21 Providing for honest
things, not only in the
sight of the
Lord, but also in the
sight of
men. 22 And 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. 23 Whether 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. 24 Wherefore shew
ye to them, and before the churches, the
proof of
your love, and of
our boasting on your behalf.