2 Corinthians 8
8 1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which
hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;
2how that in much proof of
affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto
the riches of their liberality.
3For according to their power, I bear
witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
4beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the
fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
5and this, not as we
had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us
through the will of God.
6Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he
made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.
7But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and
knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us,
see that ye abound in this grace also.
8I speak not by way of
commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity
also of your love.
9For 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 become rich.
10And herein I give my judgment: for
this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago,
not only to do, but also to will.
11But now complete the doing also; that
as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the
completion also out of your ability.
12For if the readiness is there,
it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as
he hath not.
13For I say not this that others may
be eased and ye distressed;
14but by equality: your abundance
being a supply at this present time for their want, that their
abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be
equality:
15as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing
over; and he that gathered little had no lack.
16But thanks be to
God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest,
he went forth unto you of his own accord.
18And we have sent together
with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all
the churches;
19and not only so, but who was also appointed by the
churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is
ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness:
20Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of
this bounty which is ministered by us:
21for we take thought for things
honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22and 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 hath in you.
23Whether any inquire
about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to
you-ward, or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches,
they are the glory of Christ.
24Show ye therefore unto them in
the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your
behalf.
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