1 And we do you to understand, brethren, the grace of God, that is given in the Churches of Macedonia,
1 Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.
2 that in much experience of tribulation they had aboundance of joy, & their very deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their simplicity,
2 That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy; and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.
3 for according to their power (I give them testimony) and above their power they were willing,
3 For according to their power (I bear them witness), and beyond their power, they were willing.
4 with much exhortation requesting us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.
4 With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.
5 And not as we hoped, but their own selves they gave, first to our Lord, then to us by the will of God:
5 And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God:
6 in so much that we desired Titus, that as he began, so also he would perfit in you this grace also.
6 Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.
7 But as in all things you abound in faith, and word, & knowledge, & all carefulness, moreover also in your charity toward us, that in this grace also you may abound.
7 That 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.
8 Ispeak not as commanding: but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.
8 I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for you he was made poor, whereas he was rich; that by his poverty you might be rich.
9 For 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.
10 And in this point I give counsel: for this is profitable for you, which have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, from the year past:
10 And 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.
11 But now perform ye it also in deed: that as your mind is prompt to be willing, so it may be also to perform, of that which you have.
11 Now 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.
12 For if the will be prompt, it is accepted according to that which it hath, not according to that which it hath not.
12 For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which he hath not.
13 For not that other should have ease, and you tribulation: but by an equality.
13 For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burdened, but by an equality.
14 Let in this present time your aboundance supply their want: that their aboundance also may supply your want, that there be an equality
14 In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,
15 as it is written: He that had much, abounded not: and he that had little, wanted not.
15 As it is written: ¹He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.
16 And thanks be to God, that hath given the self-same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus,
16 And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.
17 for that he admitted indeed exhortation: but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.
18 We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel through all the churches:
18 We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches.
19 & not only that, but also he was ordained of the churches fellow of our peregrination, for this grace which is ministered of us to the glory of our Lord, and our determined will:
19 And 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:
20 avoiding this, lest any man might reprehend us in this fullness that is ministered of us.
20 Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.
21 For we provide good things not only before God, but also before men.
21 ²For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have proved in many things often to be careful: but now much more careful, for the great confidence in you,
22 And 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,
23 either for Titus which is my fellow and coadjutor toward you, or our brethren Apostles of the Churches, the glory of Christ.
23 Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow laborer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 The declaration therefore which is of your charity and our glorying for you, declare ye toward them in the face of the churches.
24 Wherefore show ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.