2 Corinthians 8

1We make known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2that in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.

3For, I testify, they gave according to their ability, and beyond their ability, of their own accord,

4begging us with much urging for the grace and the fellowship of this ministry to the saints—

5And not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God,

6So we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun, he should also complete among you this act of grace.

7But just as you abound in everything—in faith and speech and knowledge and all diligence and in our love in you—see that you also abound in this grace.

8I am not saying this as a command, but through the earnestness of others I am also testing the genuineness of your love.

9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

10And in this matter I give my judgment: for this is beneficial for you, who began last year not only to do it but also to will it.

11But now complete the doing of it also, so that just as there was the eagerness to will it, so also there may be the completion from what you have.

12For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

13For I do not mean that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but equality—

14At the present time, your abundance is for their need, so that their abundance may also be for your need, in order that there may be equality.

15as it is written: The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.

16But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnestness for you into Titus's heart,

17For he accepted the appeal, but being more earnest, he went to you of his own accord.

18And we sent with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is throughout all the churches—

19And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches as our traveling companion with this gracious gift that is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord himself and our eagerness—

20taking this precaution, so that no one may blame us in regard to this generous gift being administered by us,

21For we take thought for what is good, not only before the Lord but also before people.

22And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested in many matters and found to be diligent, but who is now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.

23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you; as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Messiah.

24Therefore, show them before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting about you.