1 W e want to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia;

¶ Así mismo, hermanos, os hacemos saber la gracia de Dios que ha sido dada a las Iglesias de Macedonia;

2 F or in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.

que en grande prueba de tribulación, la abundancia de su gozo permaneció, y su profunda pobreza abundó en riquezas de su bondad.

3 F or, as I can bear witness, according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and voluntarily,

Porque conforme a sus fuerzas, (como yo testifico por ellos), y aun sobre sus fuerzas han sido liberales;

4 B egging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for the saints.

rogándonos con muchas súplicas, que recibiéramos la gracia y la comunicación del ministerio que se hace para los santos.

5 N or that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God '> entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]—

Y no como lo esperábamos, sino que a sí mismos se dieron primeramente al Señor, y luego a nosotros por la voluntad de Dios.

6 S o much so that we have urged Titus that as he began it, he should also complete this beneficent and gracious contribution among you.

De tal manera que exhortamos a Tito, para que como comenzó antes, así también acabe esta gracia entre vosotros también.

7 N ow as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything—in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us— abound and excel in this gracious work also.

¶ Por tanto, como en todo abundáis, en fe, y en Palabra, y en ciencia, y en toda solicitud, y en vuestra caridad con nosotros, que también abundéis en esta gracia.

8 I give this not as an order, but to prove, by the zeal of others, the sincerity of your love also.

No hablo como quien manda, sino por experimentar la liberalidad de vuestra caridad por la solicitud de los otros.

9 F or you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).

Porque ya sabéis la gracia del Señor nuestro, Jesús el Cristo, que por amor de vosotros se hizo pobre, siendo rico; para que vosotros con su pobreza fuerais enriquecidos.

10 m y counsel and my opinion in this matter that I give: It is profitable and fitting for you which more than a year ago you not only began, but were the first to wish to do anything.

Y en esto doy mi consejo; porque esto os conviene a vosotros, que comenzasteis, no sólo a hacerlo, sino también a ser solícitos desde el año pasado.

11 S o now finish doing it, that your readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.

Ahora pues, llevad también a cabo el hecho, para que como fue pronto el ánimo de la voluntad, así también sea en cumplirlo de lo que tenéis.

12 F or if the readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable and welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

Porque si primero hay la voluntad pronta, será acepta por lo que tiene, no por lo que no tiene.

13 F or it is not that other people be eased and relieved and you be burdened and suffer,

Porque no digo esto para que haya para otros desahogo, y para vosotros apretura;

14 B ut to have equality, your surplus over necessity at the present time going to meet their want and to equalize the difference created by it, so that their surplus in turn may be given to supply your want. Thus there may be equality,

sino para que en este tiempo, por la equidad, vuestra abundancia supla la falta de los otros, para que también la abundancia de ellos otra vez supla vuestra falta, y haya igualdad;

15 A s it is written, He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack.

como está escrito: El que recogió mucho, no tuvo más; y el que poco, no tuvo menos.

16 B ut thanks be to God Who planted the same earnest zeal and care for you in the heart of Titus.

¶ Pero gracias a Dios que dio la misma solicitud por vosotros en el corazón de Tito.

17 F or he not only welcomed and responded to our appeal, but was himself so keen in his enthusiasm and interest in you that he is going to you of his own accord.

Pues a la verdad recibió la exhortación; mas estando también muy solícito, de su voluntad partió para ir a vosotros.

18 B ut we are sending along with him that brother whose praise in the Gospel ministry throughout all the churches;

Y enviamos juntamente con él al hermano cuya alabanza es en el Evangelio por todas las Iglesias;

19 A nd more than that, he has been appointed by the churches to travel as our companion in regard to this bountiful contribution which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself and our eager readiness.

y no sólo esto, sino que también fue ordenado por las Iglesias compañero de nuestra peregrinación para llevar esta gracia, que es administrada por nosotros y de vuestro pronto ánimo para gloria del mismo Señor.

20 w e are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution.

Evitando que nadie nos vitupere en esta abundancia que ministramos;

21 F or we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.

procurando lo honesto no sólo delante del Señor, sino aun delante de los hombres.

22 M oreover, along with them we are sending our brother, whom we have often put to the test and have found him zealous (devoted and earnest) in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of absolute confidence in you.

Enviamos también con ellos a nuestro hermano, al cual muchas veces hemos experimentado diligente, pero ahora mucho más con la mucha confianza que tenemos en vosotros.

23 A s for Titus, he is my colleague and shares my work in your service; and as for the brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, a credit and glory to Christ (the Messiah).

En cuanto a Tito, es mi compañero y coadjutor para con vosotros; o acerca de nuestros hermanos, que son apóstoles de las Iglesias, y la gloria del Cristo.

24 S how to these men, therefore, in the sight of the churches, the reality and plain truth of your love (your affection, goodwill, and benevolence) and what I had for boasting about and being proud of you.

Mostrad pues, para con ellos en la faz de las Iglesias la prueba de vuestra caridad, y de nuestro gloriarnos acerca de vosotros.