| 1. | Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; |
| 2. | how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. |
| 3. | For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, `they gave' of their own accord, |
| 4. | beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints: |
| 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. |
| 6. | Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also. |
| 7. | But as ye abound in everything, `in' faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and `in' all earnestness, and `in' your love to us, `see' that ye abound in this grace also. |
| 8. | I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. |
| 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 become rich. |
| 10. | And herein 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. |
| 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. |
| 12. | For if the readiness is there, `it is' acceptable according as `a man' hath, not according as `he' hath not. |
| 13. | For `I say' not `this' that others may be eased `and' ye distressed; |
| 14. | but by equality: your abundance `being a supply' at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become `a supply' for your want; that there may be equality: |
| 15. | as it is written, He that `gathered' much had nothing over; and he that `gathered' little had no lack. |
| 16. | But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. |
| 17. | For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. |
| 18. | And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel `is spread' through all the churches; |
| 19. | and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in `the matter of' this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and `to show' our readiness: |
| 20. | Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in `the matter of' this bounty which is ministered by us: |
| 21. | for we take thought for things honorable, 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 many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which `he hath' in you. |
| 23. | Whether `any inquire' about Titus, `he is' my partner and `my' fellow-worker to you-ward, or our brethren, `they are' the messengers of the churches, `they are' the glory of Christ. |
| 24. | Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf. |