1 And, brothers, we declare to you the grace of God that has been given in the congregations of Macedonia,
2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy, even from the depth of their poverty, abounded for the wealth of their generosity,
3 so that according to their ability, I testify, and beyond their ability, willingly,
4 with much exhortation, begging of us the favor, even the fellowship of service for the sanctified.
5 And it was not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us through the will of God,
6 for us to urge Titus that, as he earlier began this kindness, so he would even finish it for you also.
7 But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, be that ye may also abound in this kindness.
8 I speak not from commandment, but because of the zeal of others, also examining the genuineness of your love.
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich he became poor for your sakes, so that by that man's poverty ye might become rich.
10 And in this I give judgment, for this is expedient for you who earlier began, from a year ago, not only the doing but also the intending.
11 And now also finish the doing, so that just as was the willingness of the intending, so also to finish from the having.
12 For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable to the extent if some man has, not to the extent he does not have.
13 For it is not, so that ease is for others and stress for you, but out of parity your abundance at the present time is for the need of those men.
14 So that the abundance of those men may also happen for your need, so that there may become equity,
15 as it is written, he of much did not abound, and he of little did not lack.
16 But thanks to God who gives the same eagerness for you in the heart of Titus.
17 Because he indeed accepted the exhortation, but his own will being more zealous, he went forth to you.
18 And we sent along with him the brother whose praise in the good-news is throughout all the congregations.
19 And not only so, but who was also chosen by the congregations, a traveling companion of us with this gift administered by us, for the glory of the same Lord and our willingness.
20 Arranging this lest any man may criticize us in this bounty administered by us,
21 providing things right, not only in the sight of Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we sent along with them our brother whom we often proved being diligent in many things, but is now much more diligent (with much confidence toward you)
23 whether on behalf of Titus my partner and co-workman for you, or our brothers, apostles of congregations, a glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show ye the proof of your love and our boast about you, for them in the face of the congregations.
1 I do you to wit brethren of the grace of god which is geven in the congregacions of Macedonia
2 how that the aboundaunce of their reioysing is that they are tried wt moche tribulacio. And therto though they were excedinge poore yet haue they geue excedinge richly and that in singlenesse.
3 For to their powers (I beare recorde) yee and beyonde their power they were willynge of their owne accorde
4 and prayed vs with great instaunce that we wolde receave their benefite and suffre them to be parttakers with other in ministrynge to the saynctes.
5 And this they did not as we loked for: but gave their awne selves fyrst to the lorde and after vnto vs by the will of God:
6 so that we coulde not but desyre Titus to acomplysshe the same benivolence amonge you also even as he had begonne.
7 Now therfore as ye are ryche in all parties in fayth in worde in knowledge in all fervetnes and in love which ye have to vs: even so se that ye be plenteons in this benivolence.
8 Thys saye I not as commaundynge: but be cause other are so fervent therfore prove I youre love whether it be perfait or no.
9 Ye knowe the liberalitie of oure lorde Iesus Christ which though he were riche yet for youre sakes be came poore: that ye thorow his povertie myght be made ryche.
10 And I geve counsell hereto. For this is expedient for you which beganne not to do only: but also to will a yeare a goo.
11 Now therfore performe the dede: that as ther was in you a redines to will even so ye maye performe the dede of that which ye have.
12 For if ther be fyrst a willynge mynde it is accepted accordynge to that a man hath and not accordinge to that he hath not.
13 It is not my mynde that other be set at ease and ye brought into combraunce:
14 but that ther be egalnes now at this tyme that youre aboundaunce sucker their lacke: that their aboundaunce maye supplie youre lacke:
15 that ther maye be equalite agreynge to that which is written. He that gaddered moche had never the more aboundaunce and he yt gaddered lytell had never the lesse.
16 Thankes be vnto god which put in ye hert of Titus the same good mynde toward you.
17 For he accepted ye request yee rather he was so well willynge that of his awne accorde came vnto you.
18 We haue sent with him that brother whose laude is in the gospell thorow out all the congregacions:
19 and not so only but is also chosen of the congregacions to be a felowe with vs in oure iorney concerninge this benivolence that is ministred by vs vnto the prayse of ye lorde and to stere vp youre prompt mynde.
20 For thys we eschue that eny man shuld rebuke vs in this plenteous distribucion that is ministred by vs
21 and therfore make provision for honest thynges not in the sight of god only but also in the sight of men.
22 We have sent with them a brother of oures whom we have ofte tymes proved diliget in many thynges but now moche more diligent. The great confidence which I have in you.
23 hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus sake which is my felowe and helper as cocernynge you partly because of other which are oure brethren and the messengers of the congregacios and ye glory of Christ.
24 Wherfore shewe vnto them the proffe of youre love and of the reioysynge that we have of you that ye congregacions maye se it.