1 ¶ Likewise, brethren, we make known unto you the grace of God bestowed on the congregations of Macedonia,

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;

2 h ow that in a great trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3 F or to their power, I bear record, and even beyond their power they were willing of themselves,

For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

4 p raying us with much intreaty that we would receive the grace and take upon us the fellowship of the ministry to the saints.

beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:

5 A nd this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord and then unto us by the will of God.

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 I nsomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete among you the same grace also.

Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

7 ¶ Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all diligence and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

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 as commanding, but by occasion of the diligence of others and to prove the sincerity of your charity.

I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

9 F or 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 be enriched.

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 A nd in this I give my advice, for this is expedient for you, who began not only to do, but also to be diligent a year ago.

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 N ow therefore finish the doing of it that as there was a readiness to will, so there may also be a performance out of that which ye have.

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 F or if there is first a willing desire, it is accepted according to what a person has and not according to what they do not have.

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.

13 F or I mean not that others be eased and ye burdened,

For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed;

14 b ut by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want that their abundance also may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality:

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 A s it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over, and he that had gathered little had no lack.

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 put the same diligence into the heart of Titus for you.

But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

17 F or indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, of his own accord he went unto you.

For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.

18 A nd we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the congregations,

And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches;

19 a nd not that only, but who was also ordained by the congregations to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord and declaration of your ready desire,

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 a voiding that anyone should blame us regarding this abundance which is ministered by us,

Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:

21 p roviding for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22 A nd we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which we have in you.

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 R egarding Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you; or regarding our brethren, they are the apostles of the congregations and the glory of Christ.

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 T herefore show ye unto them before the congregations, the proof of your charity and of our glorying regarding you.

Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.