2 Corinthians 8

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.	1 We want you to know, brothers, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia,
2 That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy; and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.	2 for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
3 For according to their power ( I bear them witness), and beyond their power, they were willing.	3 For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their means, spontaneously,
4 With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.	4 they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones,
5 And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God:	5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God,
6 Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.	6 so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun, he should also complete for you this gracious act also.
7 That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace also you may abound.	7 Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also.
8 I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.	8 I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich.	9 For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
10 And herein I give my advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.	10 And I am giving counsel in this matter, for it is appropriate for you who began not only to act but to act willingly last year:
11 Now therefore perform ye it also in deed; that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.	11 complete it now, so that your eager willingness may be matched by your completion of it out of what you have.
12 For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which he hath not.	12 For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have;
13 For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by an equality.	13 not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality
14 In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,	14 your surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality.
15 As it is written: He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.	15 As it is written: "Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less."
16 And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.	16 But thanks be to God who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus,
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.	17 for he not only welcomed our appeal but, since he is very concerned, he has gone to you of his own accord.
18 We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches.	18 With him we have sent the brother who is praised in all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.
19 And not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord, and our determined will:	19 And not only that, but he has also been appointed our traveling companion by the churches in this gracious work administered by us for the glory of the Lord (himself) and for the expression of our eagerness.
20 Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.	20 This we desire to avoid, that anyone blame us about this lavish gift administered by us,
21 For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men.	21 for we are concerned for what is honorable not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of others.
22 And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence in you,	22 And with them we have sent our brother whom we often tested in many ways and found earnest, but who is now much more earnest because of his great confidence in you.
23 Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.	23 As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker for you; as for our brothers, they are apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.	24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to them.