1 B ut we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia;

2 t hat in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their liberality.

3 F or according to power, I bear witness, and beyond power, willing of their own accord,

4 b egging of us with much entreaty the grace and fellowship of the service which to the saints.

5 A nd not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will.

6 S o that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also;

7 b ut even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.

8 I do not speak as commanding, but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love.

9 F or ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he, being rich, became poor, in order that ye by his poverty might be enriched.

10 A nd I give opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.

11 B ut now also complete the doing of it; so that as the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have.

12 F or if the readiness be there, accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not.

13 F or not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress,

14 b ut of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should be equality.

15 A ccording as it is written, He who much had no excess, and he who little was nothing short.

16 B ut thanks to God, who gives the same diligent zeal for you in the heart of Titus.

17 F or he received indeed the entreaty, but, being full of zeal, he went of his own accord to you;

18 b ut we have sent with him the brother whose praise in the glad tidings through all the assemblies;

19 a nd not only, but also chosen by the assemblies as our fellow-traveller with this grace, ministered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and our readiness;

20 a voiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance administered by us;

21 f or we provide for things honest, not only before Lord, but also before men.

22 A nd we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved to be of diligent zeal in many things, and now more diligently zealous through the great confidence as to you.

23 W hether as regards Titus, my companion and fellow-labourer in your behalf; or our brethren, deputed messengers of assemblies, Christ's glory.

24 S hew therefore to them, before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you.