1 A simismo, hermanos, os hacemos saber la gracia de Dios que se ha dado a las iglesias de Macedonia,

We 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;

2 p orque, en las grandes tribulaciones con que han sido probadas, la abundancia de su gozo y su profunda pobreza abundaron en riquezas de su generosidad.

For 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.

3 D oy testimonio de que con agrado han dado conforme a sus fuerzas, y aun más allá de sus fuerzas,

For, as I can bear witness, according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and voluntarily,

4 p idiéndonos con muchos ruegos que les concediéramos el privilegio de participar en este servicio para los santos.

Begging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for the saints.

5 Y no como lo esperábamos, sino que a sí mismos se dieron primeramente al Señor y luego a nosotros, por la voluntad de Dios;

Nor 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]—

6 d e manera que exhortamos a Tito, para que tal como comenzó antes, asimismo acabe también entre vosotros esta obra de gracia.

So much so that we have urged Titus that as he began it, he should also complete this beneficent and gracious contribution among you.

7 P or tanto, como en todo abundáis, en fe, en palabra, en conocimiento, en toda solicitud y en vuestro amor por nosotros, abundad también en esta gracia.

Now 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.

8 N o hablo como quien manda, sino para poner a prueba, por medio de la diligencia de otros, también la sinceridad del amor vuestro.

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

9 Y a conocéis la gracia de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que por amor a vosotros se hizo pobre siendo rico, para que vosotros con su pobreza fuerais enriquecidos.

For 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).

10 E n esto doy mi consejo, porque esto os conviene a vosotros, que comenzasteis antes, no sólo a hacerlo, sino también a quererlo, desde el año pasado.

my 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.

11 A hora, pues, llevad también a cabo el hacerlo, para que así como estuvisteis prontos a querer, también lo estéis a cumplir conforme a lo que tengáis,

So now finish doing it, that your readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.

12 p orque si primero está la voluntad dispuesta, será aceptado según lo que uno tiene, no según lo que no tiene.

For 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.

13 N o digo esto para que haya para otros holgura y para vosotros escasez,

For it is not that other people be eased and relieved and you be burdened and suffer,

14 s ino para que en este momento, con igualdad, la abundancia vuestra supla la escasez de ellos, para que también la abundancia de ellos supla la necesidad vuestra, para que haya igualdad,

But 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,

15 c omo está escrito: «El que recogió mucho no tuvo más y el que poco, no tuvo menos.» Los enviados de Pablo

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

16 D oy gracias a Dios que puso en el corazón de Tito la misma preocupación por vosotros,

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

17 p ues a la verdad recibió la exhortación; pero estando también muy solícito, por su propia voluntad partió para ir a vosotros.

For 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.

18 Y enviamos juntamente con él al hermano cuya alabanza en el evangelio se oye por todas las iglesias.

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

19 Y no sólo esto, sino que también fue designado por las iglesias como compañero de nuestra peregrinación para llevar este donativo, que es administrado por nosotros para gloria del Señor mismo y para demostrar vuestra buena voluntad.

And 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.

20 E vitamos así que nadie nos censure en cuanto a esta ofrenda abundante que administramos,

we 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.

21 p rocurando hacer las cosas honradamente, no sólo delante del Señor sino también delante de los hombres.

For 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.

22 E nviamos también con ellos a nuestro hermano, cuya diligencia hemos comprobado repetidas veces en muchas cosas, y ahora se muestra mucho más diligente por la mucha confianza que tiene en vosotros.

Moreover, 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.

23 E n cuanto a Tito, es mi compañero y colaborador para con vosotros; y en cuanto a nuestros hermanos, son mensajeros de las iglesias y gloria de Cristo.

As 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).

24 M ostrad, pues, con ellos, ante las iglesias, la prueba de vuestro amor y de nuestro motivo de orgullo respecto de vosotros.

Show 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.