1 A nd we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the assemblies of 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 b ecause in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality;

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

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

4 w ith much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints,

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

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

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

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 b ut 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;

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 ot according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,

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

9 f or 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.

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 a nd 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,

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

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 f or 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;

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 f or not that for others release, and ye pressured,

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

14 b ut 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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19 a nd 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;

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

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

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 a nd 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,

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

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

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.