2 Corinthians Chapter 8
1 Family⁺, understand⁺ the grace of God that has been bestowed in the assemblies⁺ of Macedonia.
2 In a great trial of suffering⁺, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
3 I testify⁺ to their power. Yes and they were willing even beyond their power.
4 With much encouragement⁺ they urged⁺ us to receive their gracious⁺ gift in fellowship to serve the saints.
5 And not only this, according as we had hoped, but they themselves gave first to the Lord and to us, by the will of God.
6 In view of this, we urged⁺ Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish with you in the same grace.
7 Therefore, as you abound in everything⁺: In faith and utterance and knowledge and all diligence and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.
8 I do not speak this as a commandment, but by the diligent⁺ example of others also proving the sincerity of your love.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor so that through His poverty you might be rich.
10 In this example I give you my advice. For this is beneficial⁺ for you who have already begun, not only to do these things, but also to have been so willing to do them, even before a year ago.
11 Now therefore, perform the doing. As there was a ready will, so may there be a performance also out of what you have.
12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has and not according to what one does not have.
13 For I do not mean that others be eased and you burdened.
14 But in the interest of equality~ in this present time, may your abundance be a supply for their deficiency⁺ so that their abundance may also be a supply for your deficiency later.
15 As it is written: Those who had gathered much had nothing over, and those who had gathered little had no lack. Exodus 16:18
16 But thanks be to God who put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
17 For indeed, he accepted the exhortation. But being diligent⁺, he went to you of his own accord.
18 We sent with him that brother whose praise in the Gospel has gone throughout all the assemblies⁺.
19 Not only that, but he was also chosen by the assemblies⁺ to travel with us in this grace that is administered by us to the glory of the Lord and to show your readiness to serve.
20 We are exercising caution⁺ so that no one should blame us in the way in which this abundance is administered by us.
21 We are providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people.
22 We have sent our brother with them, one whom we have repeatedly⁺ proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, reflecting upon the great confidence that I have in you.
23 If any ask about Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you. Or if they ask about our brothers, they are the messengers from the assemblies⁺ and the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show to them and before the assemblies⁺ the proof of your love and of our rejoicing⁺ in you.