2 Corinthians 8

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Next, brothers, we will tel you of the grace of God which has been granted to the churches ofMacedonia,	1 Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.
2 and how, throughout continual ordeals of hardship, their unfailing joy and their intense poverty haveoverflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.	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.
3 I can testify that it was of their own accord that they made their gift, which was not merely as far as theirresources would al ow, but wel beyond their resources;	3 For according to their power ( I bear them witness), and beyond their power, they were willing.
4 and they had kept imploring us most insistently for the privilege of a share in the fellowship of service toGod's holy people-	4 With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.
5 it was not something that we expected of them, but it began by their offering themselves to the Lordand to us at the prompting of the wil of God.	5 And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God:
6 In the end we urged Titus, since he had already made a beginning, also to bring this work of generosityto completion among you.	6 Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.
7 More, as you are rich in everything-faith, eloquence, understanding, concern for everything, and lovefor us too -- then make sure that you excel in this work of generosity too.	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.
8 I am not saying this as an order, but testing the genuineness of your love against the concern of others.	8 I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.
9 You are wel aware of the generosity which our Lord Jesus Christ had, that, although he was rich, hebecame poor for your sake, so that you should become rich through his poverty.	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.
10 I will give you my considered opinion in the matter; this wil be the right course for you as you were thefirst, a year ago, not only to take any action but also even to conceive the project.	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.
11 Now, then, complete the action as wel , so that the fulfilment may -- so far as your resources permit --be proportionate to your enthusiasm for the project.	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.
12 As long as the enthusiasm is there, the basis on which it is acceptable is what someone has, not whatsomeone does not 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.
13 It is not that you ought to relieve other people's needs and leave yourselves in hardship; but thereshould be a fair balance-	13 For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by an equality.
14 your surplus at present may fil their deficit, and another time their surplus may fil your deficit. Sothere may be a fair balance;	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,
15 as scripture says: No one who had collected more had too much, no one who col ected less had toolittle.	15 As it is written: He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.
16 Thank God for putting into Titus' heart the same sincere concern for you.	16 And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.
17 He certainly took our urging to heart; but greater still was his own enthusiasm, and he went off to youof his own accord.	17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.
18 We have sent with him the brother who is praised as an evangelist in al the churches	18 We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches.
19 and who, what is more, was elected by the churches to be our travel ing companion in this work ofgenerosity, a work to be administered by us for the glory of the Lord and our complete satisfaction.	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:
20 We arranged it this way so that no one should be able to make any accusation against us about thislarge sum we are administering.	20 Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.
21 And so we have been careful to do right not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of people.	21 For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men.
22 Along with these, we have sent a brother of ours whose eagerness we have tested over and overagain in many ways and who is now all the more eager because he has so much faith in you.	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,
23 If Titus is in question -- he is my own partner and fellow-worker in your interests; and if our brothers --they are the emissaries of the churches and the glory of Christ.	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.
24 So then, in full view of al the churches, give proof that you love them, and that we were right to boastof you to them.	24 Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.