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.
