2 Corinthians 8
1 We make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia.
2 In the midst of severe affliction, their overflowing joy and deep poverty welled up in a wealth of generosity.
3 For I bear witness that, according to their means—and beyond their means—they gave willingly.
4 With much earnest pleading, they asked us for the favor of sharing in the service for the saints.
5 And they did not do as we expected; instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to us, by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus that, just as he had begun, he should also complete this act of grace among you.
7 But just as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in the love we have kindled in you—abound in this act of grace as well.
8 I am not saying this as a command, but to test the sincerity of your love by the earnestness of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: though he was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that through his poverty you might become rich.
10 And I give my opinion on this: it is beneficial for you, since last year you began not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
11 Now complete the work as well, so that just as you were ready to desire it, you may also complete it, according to what you have.
12 For if the willingness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what they do not have.
13 For this is not so that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that their abundance may also meet your need, and there may be equality.
15 As it is written: “The one who gathered much had nothing left over, and the one who gathered little had no lack.”
16 But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest concern for you into Titus’s heart.
17 For he welcomed our appeal, and being even more earnest, he went to you of his own accord.
18 And we sent with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is known throughout all the churches.
19 And not only that: he was also chosen by the churches as our traveling companion in this act of grace, which we administer for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our willingness.
20 We are taking this care so that no one can criticize us concerning this generous gift that we administer.
21 For we take care to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of people.
22 And we sent with them our brother, whom we have often and in many ways found to be earnest, and who is now much more earnest because of his great confidence in you.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker for you; as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore, before the churches, show them proof of your love and of our pride in you.
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