1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, 2 how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. 3 For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints. 5 This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us—see that you also abound in this grace.

8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. 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. 10 I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing. 11 But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have. 13 For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed, 14 but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack, that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

16 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord. 18 We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies. 19 Not only so, but he was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness. 20 We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us. 21 Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 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. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

1 Likewise, brethren, we make known unto you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia,

2 how that in a great trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3 For to [their] power, I bear record, and even beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves,

4 praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the grace and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministry to the saints.

5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord and [then] unto us by the will of God.

6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete among you the same grace also.

7 Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing], in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all diligence and in your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.

8 I speak not as commanding, but by occasion of the diligence of others and to prove the sincerity of your charity.

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 enriched.

10 And in this I give [my] advice, for this is expedient for you, who began not only to do, but also to be diligent a year ago.

11 Now therefore finish the doing [of it] that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may] also [be] a performance out of that which ye have.

12 For if there is first a willing desire, [it is] accepted according to what a person has [and] not according to what they do not have.

13 For [I mean] not that others be eased and ye burdened,

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 it is written, He that [had gathered] much had nothing over, and he that [had gathered] little had no lack.

16 But thanks [be] to God, who put the same diligence into the heart of Titus for you.

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, of his own accord he went unto you.

18 And we have sent with him the brother whose praise [is] in the gospel throughout all the churches,

19 and not [that] only, but who was also ordained by 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 desire,

20 avoiding that anyone should blame us regarding this abundance which is ministered by us,

21 providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

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 [we have] in you.

23 Regarding Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you; or regarding our brethren, [they are] the apostles of the churches [and] the glory of Christ.

24 Therefore show ye unto them before the churches, the proof of your charity and of our glorying regarding you.: