2 Corinthians 8

NEW JERUSALEM	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Next, brothers, we will tel you of the grace of God which has been granted to the churches ofMacedonia,	1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on 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 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
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 to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
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 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to 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 this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto 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 he would also finish in you the same grace also.
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 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.
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 by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
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 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.
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 expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward 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 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.
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 there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that 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 other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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 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:
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 gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
16 Thank God for putting into Titus' heart the same sincere concern for you.	16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
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 forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
18 We have sent with him the brother who is praised as an evangelist in al the churches	18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout 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 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:
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, that no 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 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of 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, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have 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 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.
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, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.