1901 American Standard Version (ASV)

2 Corinthians 8

1 He stirreth them up to a liberal contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem, by the example of the Macedonians, 7 by commendation of their former forwardness, 9 by the example of Christ, 14 and by the spiritual profit that shall redound to themselves thereby: 16 commending to them the integrity and willingness of Titus, and those other brethren, who upon his request, exhortation, and commendation, were purposely come to them for this business.

 8:1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;

 8:2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

 8:3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,

 8:4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:

 8:5 and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

 8:6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

 8:7 But as ye abound in everything, [in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all earnestness, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.

 8:8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

 8:9 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.

 8:10 And herein I give [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.

 8:11 But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability.

 8:12 For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according as [a man] hath, not according as [he] hath not.

 8:13 For [I say] not [this] that others may be eased [and] ye distressed;

 8:14 but by equality: your abundance [being a supply] at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become [a supply] for your want; that there may be equality:

 8:15 as it is written, He that [gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [gathered] little had no lack.

 8:16 But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

 8:17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.

 8:18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel [is spread] through all the churches;

 8:19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in [the matter of] this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and [to show] our readiness:

 8:20 Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is ministered by us:

 8:21 for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

 8:22 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 [he hath] in you.

 8:23 Whether [any inquire] about Titus, [he is] my partner and [my] fellow-worker to you-ward, or our brethren, [they are] the messengers of the churches, [they are] the glory of Christ.

 8:24 Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.