2Corinthians - Chapter 8 | American Standard Version

  • 1. Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;
  • 2. how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
  • 3. For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, {cf15i they gave} of their own accord,
  • 4. beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
  • 5. and {cf15i this}, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
  • 6. Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.
  • 7. But as ye abound in everything, {cf15i in} faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and {cf15i in} all earnestness, and {cf15i in} your love to us, {cf15i see} that ye abound in this grace also.
  • 8. I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
  • 9. 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 become rich.
  • 10. And herein I give {cf15i my} judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
  • 11. But now complete the doing also; that as {cf15i there was} the readiness to will, so {cf15i there may be} the completion also out of your ability.
  • 12. For if the readiness is there, {cf15i it is} acceptable according as {cf15i a man} hath, not according as {cf15i he} hath not.
  • 13. For {cf15i I say} not {cf15i this} that others may be eased {cf15i and} ye distressed;
  • 14. but by equality: your abundance {cf15i being a supply} at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become {cf15i a supply} for your want; that there may be equality:
  • 15. as it is written, He that {cf15i gathered} much had nothing over; and he that {cf15i gathered} little had no lack.
  • 16. But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
  • 17. For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.
  • 18. And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel {cf15i is spread} through all the churches;
  • 19. and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in {cf15i the matter of} this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and {cf15i to show} our readiness:
  • 20. avoiding this, that any man should blame us in {cf15i the matter of} this bounty which is ministered by us:
  • 21. for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
  • 22. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which {cf15i he hath} in you.
  • 23. Whether {cf15i any inquire} about Titus, {cf15i he is} my partner and {cf15i my} fellow-worker to you-ward, or our brethren, {cf15i they are} the messengers of the churches, {cf15i they are} the glory of Christ.
  • 24. Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.
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