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2 Corinthians 8:6-23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 Corinthians 8:6-23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
6 so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking[a] among you.(A) 7 Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you[b]—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.[c](B)
8 I do not say this as a command, but I am, by mentioning the eagerness of others, testing the genuineness of your love.(C) 9 For you know the generous act[d] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.(D) 10 And in this matter I am giving my opinion: it is beneficial for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something.(E) 11 Now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means.(F) 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.(G) 13 For I do not mean that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be equality. 15 As it is written,
“The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little.”(H)
Commendation of Titus
16 But thanks be to God, who put in the heart of Titus the same eagerness for you that I myself have. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but since he is more eager than ever, he is going to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending the brother who is praised among all the churches for his work for the gospel,(I) 19 and not only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us while we are administering this generous undertaking[e] for the glory of the Lord himself[f] and to show our goodwill.(J) 20 We are making this arrangement lest anyone blame us about this generous gift that we are administering, 21 for we are setting our minds on what is right not only before the Lord but also before the people.(K) 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found eager in many matters but who is now more eager than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker in your service; as for our brothers, they are messengers[g] of the churches, the glory of Christ.(L)
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2 Corinthians 8:6-23
New International Version
2 Corinthians 8:6-23
New International Version
6 So we urged(A) Titus,(B) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion(C) this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything(D)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,(E) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you,(F) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace(G) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(H) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(I) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(J)
10 And here is my judgment(K) about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.(L) 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness(M) to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,(N) not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,(O) so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”[b](P)
Titus Sent to Receive the Collection
16 Thanks be to God,(Q) who put into the heart(R) of Titus(S) the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.(T) 18 And we are sending along with him the brother(U) who is praised by all the churches(V) for his service to the gospel.(W) 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us(X) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.(Y) 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.(Z)
22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus,(AA) he is my partner(AB) and co-worker(AC) among you; as for our brothers,(AD) they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts and in your love for us
- 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)
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