1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, 2 how in much proof 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 holy ones. 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 Yeshua the Messiah, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich. 10 I give a judgment in this: for this 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 emissaries of the assemblies, the glory of Messiah. 24 Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the charity of God, which is given by the congregations of Macedonia;2 that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their extreme poverty, superabounded to the riches of their liberality:3 that to their power, (I bear witness,) yes, beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; with much entreaty4 requesting us to accept the charity and the participation of the service, which is for the saints.5 Yes, beyond our expectations; for they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.6 This moved us to entreat Titus, that as he had formerly begun, so he would also finish the same charity among you likewise.7 Now as you abound in every gift, (in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us,) I wish that you may abound in this gift also.8 I speak not this as an injunction, but on account of the diligence of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.9 (For you know the charity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor; that you, through his poverty, might be rich.)10 And in this I give my opinion, not only to do, but also to be willing since the last year.11 At present, therefore, finish the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will; so also let there be to finish, according to your ability.12 For if there be a willing mind, according to what a person has, he is accepted; and not according to what he has not.13 However, I mean not that others should be eased and you distressed; but on account of equality,14 that now your abundance may be a supply for their want; that again, their abundance may be a supply for your want; that there may be an equality.15 «As it is written,» 'He who gathered much, had nothing over; and he who gathered little, had no lack.'16 Now thanks be to God, who has put the same earnest care concerning you, into the heart of Titus.17 For he, indeed, received an exhortation; but from his great earnestness, was going to you of his own accord.18 And with him we have sent the brother, whose praise in the gospel is throughout all the congregations.19 And not only so, but who was also chosen by the congregations our fellow-traveler, with this charity, which is ministered by us, to the glory of the Lord himself, and of your readiness:20 using this precaution, that none may blame us in the distribution of this abundance;21 premeditating things comely, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in sight of men.22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes found diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, from the great confidence which he has in you.23 If any inquire concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow-laborer for you; or if our brethren be inquired of, they are Apostles of congregations, and a glory of Christ.24 Wherefore, the proof of your love, and of our boasting concerning you, display before them, and before the face of the congregations.