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

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

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

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

For to their power, I bear record, and even beyond their power they were willing of themselves,

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

praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the grace and take upon us the fellowship of the ministry to 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,

And 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.

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

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

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;

¶ 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.

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

I speak not as commanding, but by occasion of the diligence of others and to prove the sincerity of your charity.

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 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.

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,

And 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.

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,

Now 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.

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

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

For I mean not that others be eased and ye burdened,

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 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:

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 that had gathered much had nothing over, and he that had gathered little had no 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 put the same diligence into the heart of Titus for you.

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

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

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

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

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 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,

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

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

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

providing for honest things, 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,

And 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.

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

Regarding 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.

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.

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