2 Corinthians 8

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Next, brothers, we will tel you of the grace of God which has been granted to the churches ofMacedonia,	1 And so we are making known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has 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 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 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 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 and they had kept imploring us most insistently for the privilege of a share in the fellowship of service toGod's holy people-	4 For they were begging us, with great exhortation, for the grace and the communication of the ministry that is with 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 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 In the end we urged Titus, since he had already made a beginning, also to bring this work of generosityto completion among you.	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 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 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 am not saying this as an order, but testing the genuineness of your love against the concern of others.	8 I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character 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 though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you might become 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 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 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 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 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 when the will is prompted, it receives according to what that person has, not according to what that person does not have.
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 And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should be 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 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 scripture says: No one who had collected more had too much, no one who col ected less had toolittle.	15 “He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little.”
16 Thank God for putting into Titus' heart the same sincere concern for you.	16 But thanks be to God, who has granted to the heart of Titus, this same solicitude 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 certainly, he accepted the exhortation. But since he was more solicitous, he went to you of his own free will.
18 We have sent with him the brother who is praised as an evangelist in al the churches	18 And we have even sent with him a brother whose praise accompanies 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 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 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 So let us avoid this, lest anyone disparage us over the abundance that is ministered 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 provide for what is good, not only in the sight of God, 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 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 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 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 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 Therefore, in the sight of the churches, show them the proof of your charity and of our glorying about you.