2 Corinthians 8:1-5

New English Translation

Completing the Collection for the Saints

8 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters,^[a] the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, ² that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth^[b] of their generosity. ³ For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,^{[c] 4} begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping^[d] the saints. ⁵ And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.