2 Corinthians 8

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 We want you to know, brothers, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia,	1 And so we are making known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given in the churches of Macedonia.
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.	2 For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity.
3 For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their means, spontaneously,	3 And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability.
4 they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones,	4 For they were begging us, with great exhortation, for the grace and the communication of the ministry that is with the saints.
5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God,	5 And this is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also to us, through the will of God,
6 so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun, he should also complete for you this gracious act also.	6 so much so that we petitioned Titus, that in the same manner as he had begun, he would also complete in you this same grace.
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.	7 But, just as in all things you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all solicitude, and even more so in your charity toward us, so also may you abound in this grace.
8 I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others.	8 I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.
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.	9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you might become rich.
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:	10 And about this, I give my counsel. For this is useful to those of you who, only a year earlier, had just begun to act, or even to be willing to act.
11 complete it now, so that your eager willingness may be matched by your completion of it out of what you have.	11 So, truly now, accomplish this in deed, so that, in the same manner as your willing mind is prompted, you may also act, out of that which you have.
12 For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have;	12 For when the will is prompted, it receives according to what that person has, not according to what that person does not have.
13 not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality	13 And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should 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.	14 In this present time, let your abundance supply their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be an equality, just as it was written:
15 As it is written: "Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less."	15 “He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little.”
16 But thanks be to God who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus,	16 But thanks be to God, who has granted to the heart of Titus, this same solicitude for you.
17 for he not only welcomed our appeal but, since he is very concerned, he has gone to you of his own accord.	17 For certainly, he accepted the exhortation. But since he was more solicitous, he went to you of his own free will.
18 With him we have sent the brother who is praised in all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.	18 And we have even sent with him a brother whose praise accompanies the Gospel throughout all the churches.
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.	19 And not only that, but he was also chosen by the churches to be a companion for our sojourn in this grace, which is ministered by us with our determined will, to the glory of the Lord.
20 This we desire to avoid, that anyone blame us about this lavish gift administered by us,	20 So let us avoid this, lest anyone disparage us over the abundance that is ministered by us.
21 for we are concerned for what is honorable not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of others.	21 For we provide for what is good, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men.
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.	22 And we have also sent with them our brother, whom we have proven to be frequently solicitous in many matters. But now there is a greater solicitousness, which is greatly entrusted to you;
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.	23 and whether it concerns Titus, who is a companion to me and a helper to you, or whether it concerns our brothers, the Apostles of the churches, it is to the glory of Christ.
24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to them.	24 Therefore, in the sight of the churches, show them the proof of your charity and of our glorying about you.