2 Corinthians 8
Berean Standard BibleTranslation
Berean Standard Bible
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
1Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
1Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.
2In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
2That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy; and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.
3For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,
3For according to their power (I bear them witness), and beyond their power, they were willing.
4they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
4With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.
5And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God.
5And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God:
6So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
6Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.
7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
7That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace also you may abound.
8I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.
8I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich.
10And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.
10And herein I give my advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.
11Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.
11Now therefore perform ye it also in deed; that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.
12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
12For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which he hath not.
13It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
13For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by an equality.
14At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.
14In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,
15As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”
15As it is written: He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.
16But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
16And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.
17For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.
17For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.
18Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel.
18We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches.
19More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering —the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.
19And not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord, and our determined will:
20We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
20Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.
21For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.
21For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men.
22And we are sending along with them our brother whose earnestness has been proven many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.
22And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence in you,
23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, to the glory of Christ.
23Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.
24Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.
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