8:1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you+ the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia;
8:2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
8:3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yes and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,
8:4 imploring us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints:
8:5 and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
8:6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you+ this grace also.
8:7 But as you+ abound in everything, [in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all earnestness, and [in] our love to you+, [see] that you+ abound in this grace also.
8:8 I don't speak by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your+ love.
8:9 For you+ know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your+ sakes he became poor, that you+ through his poverty might become rich.
8:10 And in this I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you+, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
8:11 But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your+ ability.
8:12 For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according to as [a man] has, not according to as [he] has not.
8:13 For not that others may be eased [and] you+ distressed; but by equality:
8:14 your+ abundance at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become for your+ want; that there may be equality:
8:15 as it is written, He who [gathered] much had nothing over; and he who [gathered] little had no lack.
8:16 But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care for you+ into the heart of Titus.
8:17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth to you+ of his own accord.
8:18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the good news [is spread] through all the churches;
8:19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches as our travel companion in [the matter of] this grace, which is being provided by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [to show] our readiness:
8:20 avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is being provided by us:
8:21 for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which [he has] in you+.
8:23 Whether [any inquire] about Titus, [he is] my partner and [my] coworker toward you+; or our brothers, [they are] the messengers of the churches, [they are] the glory of Christ.
8:24 Therefore show+ to them in the face of the churches the proof of your+ love, and of our glorying on your+ behalf.