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;

Повідомляємо ж вас, браття, про Божу благодать, що дана Церквам македонським,

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.

що серед великого досвіду горя вони мають радість рясну, і глибоке їхнє убозтво збагатилось багатством їхньої щирости;

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

бо вони добровільні в міру сил своїх, і над силу, засвідчую,

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

із ревним благанням вони нас просили, щоб ми прийняли дар та спільність служіння святим.

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]—

І не так, як надіялись ми, але віддали себе перш Господеві та нам із волі Божої,

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.

щоб ми благали Тита, щоб він, як був перше зачав, так і скінчив би в вас оце добре діло.

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.

А ви, як у всім, збагачуєтесь: вірою, і словом, і розумом, і всякою пильністю, і вашою любов'ю до нас, щоб збагачувались ви і в благодаті оцій.

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

Не кажу це, як наказа, але пильністю інших досвідчую щирість любови й вашої.

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).

Бо ви знаєте благодать Господа нашого Ісуса Христа, Який, бувши багатий, збіднів ради вас, щоб ви збагатились Його убозтвом.

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.

І раду даю вам про це, бо це вам на пожиток, що не тільки чинили, але перші ви стали й бажати з минулого року.

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.

А тепер закінчіть роботу, щоб ви, як горливо бажали, так і виконали б у міру можности.

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.

Бо коли є охота, то приємна вона згідно з тим, що хто має, а не з тим, чого хто не має.

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

Хай не буде для інших полегша, а тягар для вас, але рівність для всіх.

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,

Часу теперішнього ваш достаток нехай нестаткові їхньому допоможе, щоб і їхній достаток був на ваш нестаток, щоб рівність була,

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

як написано: Хто мав багато, той не мав зайвини, а хто мало, не мав недостачі.

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

Та Богові дяка, що Він таку пильність про вас дав у Титове серце,

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.

бо благання прийняв він, але, бувши горливий, удався до вас добровільно.

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

А з ним разом послали ми брата, якого по всіх Церквах хвалять за Євангелію,

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.

і не тільки оце, але вибраний був від Церков бути товаришем нашим у дорозі для благодаті тієї, якій служимо ми на хвалу Самого Господа,

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.

остерігаючись того, щоб хто не дорікав нам цим достатком, що ним служимо ми,

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.

дбаючи про добро не тільки перед Богом, але й перед людьми.

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.

А ми з ними послали були брата нашого, про пильність якого ми часто досвідчувались у речах багатьох, який ще пильніший тепер через велике довір'я до вас.

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).

Щодо Тита, то він мій товариш, а ваш співробітник; щождо наших братів вони посланці від Церков, вони слава Христова!

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.

Отож, дайте їм доказа своєї любови й нашого хваління вас перед Церквами!