1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to
you the grace of God which has been given
in the assemblies of Macedonia,
2 how in a severe ordeal of affliction,
the abundance of their joy and their deep
poverty abounded to the riches of their
generosity.
3 For according to their power, I testify,
yes and beyond their power, they gave of
their own accord,
4 begging us with much entreaty to receive
this grace and the fellowship in the
service to the saints.
5 This was not as we had expected, but
first they gave their own selves to the Lord,
and to us through the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus, that as he had made
a beginning before, so he would also complete
in you this grace.
7 But as you abound in everything—in
faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness,
and in your love to us—see that you
also abound in this grace.
8 I speak not by way of commandment,
but as proving through the earnestness of
others the sincerity also of your love.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet
for your sakes he became poor, that you
through his poverty might become rich.
10 I give advice in this: it is expedient for
you who were the first to start a year ago,
not only to do, but also to be willing.
11 But now complete the doing also, that
as there was the readiness to be willing,
so there may be the completion also out of
your ability.
12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable
according to what you have, not
according to what you don’t have.
13 For this is not that others may be eased
and you distressed,
14 but for equality. Your abundance at
this present time supplies their lack, that
their abundance also may become a supply
for your lack, that there may be equality.
15 As it is written, “He who gathered
much had nothing left over, and he who
gathered little had no lack.”*
16 But thanks be to God, who puts the
same earnest care for you into the heart of
Titus.
17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation,
but being himself very earnest, he
went out to you of his own accord.
18 We have sent together with him the
brother whose praise in the Good News is
known throughout all the assemblies.
19 Not only so, but he was also appointed
by the assemblies to travel with us in this
grace, which is served by us to the glory of
the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.
20 We are avoiding this, that any man
should blame us concerning this abundance
which is administered by us.
21 Having regard for honourable things,
not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in
the sight of men.
22 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 has in you.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and
fellow worker for you. As for our brothers,
they are the apostles of the assemblies, the
glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show the proof of your love
to them before the assemblies, and of our
boasting on your behalf.
