2 Corinthians 8

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on 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 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.	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 to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;	3 For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their means, spontaneously,
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.	4 they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones,
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.	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 he would also finish in you the same grace also.	6 so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun, he should also complete for you this gracious act also.
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.	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 by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.	8 I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others.
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.	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 expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward 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 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.	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 there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that 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 other men be eased, and ye burdened:	13 not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality
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:	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 gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.	15 As it is written: "Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less."
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.	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 forward, of his own accord 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 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout 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 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:	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, that no 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 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of 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, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have 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 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and 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, and before the churches, the proof of your love, 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.