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2 Corinthians 8 (AMP)

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¹ WE WANT to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia ; ² For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part. ³ For, as I can bear witness, according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and voluntarily, ⁴ Begging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for the saints . ⁵ Nor that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God -- ⁶ So much so that we have urged Titus that as he began it, he should also complete this beneficent and gracious contribution among you . ⁷ Now as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything--in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us-- abound and excel in this gracious work also. ⁸ I give this not as an order , but to prove, by the zeal of others, the sincerity of your love also. ⁹ For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied). ¹⁰ my counsel and my opinion in this matter that I give : It is profitable and fitting for you which more than a year ago you not only began, but were the first to wish to do anything . ¹¹ So now finish doing it, that your readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means. ¹² For if the readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable and welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. ¹³ For it is not that other people be eased and relieved and you be burdened and suffer , ¹⁴ But to have equality , your surplus over necessity at the present time going to meet their want and to equalize the difference created by it, so that their surplus in turn may be given to supply your want. Thus there may be equality, ¹⁵ As it is written, He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack. ¹⁶ But thanks be to God Who planted the same earnest zeal and care for you in the heart of Titus. ¹⁷ For he not only welcomed and responded to our appeal, but was himself so keen in his enthusiasm and interest in you that he is going to you of his own accord. ¹⁸ But we are sending along with him that brother whose praise in the Gospel ministry throughout all the churches; ¹⁹ And more than that, he has been appointed by the churches to travel as our companion in regard to this bountiful contribution which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself and our eager readiness . ²⁰ we are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution. ²¹ For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. ²² Moreover, along with them we are sending our brother, whom we have often put to the test and have found him zealous (devoted and earnest) in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of absolute confidence in you. ²³ As for Titus, he is my colleague and shares my work in your service; and as for the brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, a credit and glory to Christ (the Messiah). ²⁴ Show to these men, therefore, in the sight of the churches, the reality and plain truth of your love (your affection, goodwill, and benevolence) and what I had for boasting about and being proud of you.