The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian^(A) churches.

²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(A) contend^(B) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(C)

¹⁰ And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia.^(A) Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,^(B)

¹⁰ But by the grace^(A) of God I am what I am, and his grace to me^(B) was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them^(C)—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.^(D)

⁹ During the night Paul had a vision^(A) of a man of Macedonia^(B) standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(A) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(B) the boundless riches of Christ,^(C)

² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.^{(A) 3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,^(B) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing^(C) in this service^(D) to the Lord’s people.^{(E) 5} And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. ⁶ So we urged^(F) Titus,^(G) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion^(H) this act of grace on your part. ⁷ But since you excel in everything^(I)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,^(J) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you^[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

²⁶ For Macedonia^(A) and Achaia^(B) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.^(C)

²³ When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,^(A) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.^(B)