2 Corinthians 8

Paul holds up the generosity of the Macedonian churches as an example, urging the Corinthians to complete the collection they began the year before. He reminds them that the Lord Jesus Christ, though He was rich, became poor for their sakes, so that through His poverty they might be rich.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;	Now, brothers, we want You to know about the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia:
2	How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.	how in the midst of a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the riches of their generosity.
3	For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;	For I testify that they gave according to their ability — yes, and beyond their ability — entirely on their own,
4	Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.	begging us with much entreaty that we would receive their gift and let them share in the ministry to the saints.
5	And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.	And they did this not as we had hoped — they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us, by the will of God.
6	Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.	So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, he would also complete this grace in you as well.
7	Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.	But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.
8	I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.	I am not speaking by commandment, but by occasion of the eagerness of others — and to test the sincerity of your love.
9	For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.	For You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ — that though He was rich, yet for Your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.
10	And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.	And in this I give my advice: this is best for You, who began a year ago not only to give but also to be eager to give.
11	Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.	Now finish doing it, so that just as You were ready in willingness, You may also complete it out of what You have.
12	For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.	For if the willingness is there first, the gift is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have.
13	For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:	I do not mean that others should be eased and You burdened,
14	But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:	but that there should be equality — that now at this time Your abundance may supply their lack, so that their abundance may also supply Your lack, that there may be equality.
15	As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.	As it is written: "He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack."
16	But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.	But thanks be to God, Who put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17	For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.	For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself even more eager, he is coming to you of his own accord.
18	And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;	And we have sent along with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is known throughout all the churches.
19	And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:	And not only that, but he was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our ready mind,
20	Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:	guarding against this — that no man should blame us in our administration of this generous gift.
21	Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.	For we are providing what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.
22	And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which he hath in you.	And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved to be diligent in many things, and is now even more diligent because of the great confidence he has in you.
23	Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.	If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24	Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.	Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of Your love and of our boasting about You.