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;

ASIMISMO, hermanos, os hacemos saber la gracia de Dios que ha sido dada á 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 y su profunda pobreza abundaron en riquezas de su bondad.

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

Pues de su grado han dado conforme á sus fuerzas, yo testifico, y aun sobre sus fuerzas;

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

Pidiéndonos con muchos ruegos, que aceptásemos la gracia y la comunicación del servicio 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, mas aun á sí mismos se dieron primeramente al Señor, y á 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 manera que exhortamos á Tito, 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 vuestro amor para 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 para poner á prueba, por la eficacia de otros, la sinceridad también de la caridad vuestra.

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 de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que por amor de vosotros se hizo pobre, siendo rico; para que vosotros con su pobreza fueseis 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 á vosotros, que comenzasteis antes, no sólo á hacerlo, mas aun á quererlo 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 á cabo el hecho, para que como estuvisteis prontos á querer, así también lo estéis en cumplir conforme á 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, con igualdad, vuestra abundancia supla la falta de ellos, para que también la abundancia de ellos supla vuestra falta, porque 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.

Empero gracias á Dios que dió 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 á la verdad recibió la exhortación; mas estando también muy solícito, de su voluntad partió para 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 en el evangelio es 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, mas también fué ordenado por las iglesias el compañero de nuestra peregrinación para llevar esta gracia, que es administrada de nosotros para gloria del mismo Señor, y para demostrar vuestro pronto ánimo:

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 las cosas honestas, no sólo delante del Señor, mas 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 á nuestro hermano, al cual muchas veces hemos experimentado diligente, mas ahora mucho más con la mucha confianza que tiene 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).

Ora en orden á Tito, es mi compañero y coadjutor para con vosotros; ó acerca de nuestros hermanos, los mensajeros son de las iglesias, y la gloria de 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 á la faz de las iglesias la prueba de vuestro amor, y de nuestra gloria acerca de vosotros.