1 C hristian brothers, we want you to know how the loving-favor of God has been shown in the churches in the country of Macedonia.

And we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

2 T hey have been put to the test by much trouble, but they have much joy. They have given much even though they were very poor.

because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality;

3 T hey gave as much as they could because they wanted to.

because, according to power, I testify, and above power, they were willing of themselves,

4 T hey asked from their hearts if they could help the Christians in Jerusalem.

with much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints,

5 I t was more than we expected. They gave themselves to the Lord first. Then they gave themselves to us to be used as the Lord wanted.

and not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first to the Lord, and to us, through the will of God,

6 W e asked Titus to keep on helping you finish this act of love. He was the one to begin this.

so that we exhorted Titus, that, according as he did begin before, so also he may finish to you also this favour,

7 Y ou are rich in everything. You have faith. You can preach. You have much learning. You have a strong desire to help. And you have love for us. Now do what you should about giving also.

but even as in every thing ye do abound, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, that also in this grace ye may abound;

8 I am not saying that you must do this, but I have told you how others have helped. This is a way to prove how true your love is.

not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,

9 Y ou know of the loving-favor shown by our Lord Jesus Christ. He was rich, but He became poor for your good. In that way, because He became poor, you might become rich.

for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you he became poor -- being rich, that ye by that poverty may become rich.

10 T his is what I think. You had better finish what you started a year ago. You were the first to want to give a gift of money.

and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before -- a year ago,

11 N ow do it with the same strong desires you had when you started.

and now also finish doing, that even as the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have,

12 I f a man is ready and willing to give, he should give of what he has, not of what he does not have.

for if the willing mind is present, according to that which any one may have it is well-accepted, not according to that which he hath not;

13 T his does not mean that others do not have to give and you have to give much. You should share alike.

for not that for others release, and ye pressured,

14 Y ou have more than you need now. When you have need, then they can help you. You should share alike.

but by equality, at the present time your abundance -- for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may be equality,

15 T he Holy Writings say, “The man who gathered much did not have too much. The man who did not gather much had enough.” Titus Will Be Coming

according as it hath been written, `He who much, had nothing over; and he who little, had no lack.'

16 I thank God that He gave Titus the same desire to help you.

And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,

17 H e was glad when we asked him to help you. He decided himself to go to you.

because indeed the exhortation he accepted, and being more diligent, of his own accord he went forth unto you,

18 W e are sending the Christian brother along. He is respected in the churches for his preaching.

and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news through all the assemblies,

19 N ot only that, but he has been asked by the churches to travel with me to Jerusalem. He will help in giving them the gift. The Lord will be honored by it because it shows how we want to help each other.

and not only so, but who was also appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveller, with this favour that is ministered by us, unto the glory of the same Lord, and your willing mind;

20 W e want everyone to trust us with the way we take this large gift of money to them.

avoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,

21 W e want to do the right thing. We want God and men to know we are honest.

providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before men;

22 W e are sending another Christian brother with them. We have tested him many times. His faith has proven to be true. He wants very much to help because he trusts you.

and we sent with them our brother, whom we proved in many things many times being diligent, and now much more diligent, by the great confidence that is toward you,

23 T itus works with me to help you. The other two Christian brothers have been sent by the churches. Their lives honor Christ.

whether -- about Titus -- my partner and towards you fellow-worker, whether -- our brethren, apostles of assemblies -- glory of Christ;

24 S how these men you love them and let the churches see your love. Show them the reason I am proud of you.

the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.