2 Corinthians 8-9

Young's Literal Translation

8 And we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

² because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality;

³ because, according to [their] power, I testify, and above [their] power, they were willing of themselves,

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

⁵ and not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first to the Lord, and to us, through the will of God,

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

⁷ but 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;

⁸ not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,

⁹ for 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.

¹⁰ and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you [is] expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before -- a year ago,

¹¹ and now also finish doing [it], that even as [there is] the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have,

¹² for 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;

¹³ for not that for others release, and ye pressured, [do I speak,]

¹⁴ but 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,

¹⁵ according as it hath been written, `He who [did gather] much, had nothing over; and he who [did gather] little, had no lack.'

¹⁶ And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,

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

¹⁸ and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news [is] through all the assemblies,

¹⁹ and 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;

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

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

²² and 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,

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

²⁴ the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.

9 For, indeed, concerning the ministration that [is] for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you,

² for I have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia hath been prepared a year ago, and the zeal of you did stir up the more part,

³ and I sent the brethren, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made vain in this respect; that, according as I said, ye may be ready,

⁴ lest if Macedonians may come with me, and find you unprepared, we -- we may be put to shame (that we say not -- ye) in this same confidence of boasting.

⁵ Necessary, therefore, I thought [it] to exhort the brethren, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness.

⁶ And this: He who is sowing sparingly, sparingly also shall reap; and he who is sowing in blessings, in blessings also shall reap;

⁷ each one, according as he doth purpose in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for a cheerful giver doth God love,

⁸ and God [is] able all grace to cause to abound to you, that in every thing always all sufficiency having, ye may abound to every good work,

⁹ (according as it hath been written, `He dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness doth remain to the age,')

¹⁰ and may He who is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

¹¹ in every thing being enriched to all liberality, which doth work through us thanksgiving to God,

¹² because the ministration of this service not only is supplying the wants of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

¹³ through the proof of this ministration glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ, and [for] the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all,

¹⁴ and by their supplication in your behalf, longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God upon you;

¹⁵ thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift!