²⁶ For ^(A)Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.

Encouragement to Give Generously

8 We want you to know, brothers,^[a] about the grace of God that has been ^(A)given among the churches of Macedonia, ² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and ^(B)their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave ^(C)according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴ begging us earnestly ^(D)for the favor^[b] of taking part in ^(E)the relief of the saints— ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they ^(F)gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶ Accordingly, ^(G)we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you ^(H)this act of grace. ⁷ But as ^(I)you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you^[c]—^(J)see that you excel in this act of grace also.

^8 (K)I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ^(L)though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

²⁷ Now in these days ^(A)prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ And one of them named ^(B)Agabus stood up and foretold ^(C)by the Spirit that there would be a great ^(D)famine over all the world (this took place in the days of ^(E)Claudius). ²⁹ So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, ^(F)to send relief to ^(G)the brothers^[a] living in Judea. ^30 (H)And they did so, sending it to ^(I)the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

¹² For the ministry of this service is not only supplying ^(A)the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

² for I know your readiness, ^(A)of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready ^(B)since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.

⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers, ^(A)has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be ^(B)rich in faith and heirs of ^(C)the kingdom, ^(D)which he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you ^(E)have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who ^(F)drag you ^(G)into court?

⁵ because I ^(A)hear of your love and ^(B)of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

^6 (A)Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. ^7 (B)Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for ^(C)whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ⁸ For ^(D)the one who sows to his own flesh ^(E)will from the flesh reap corruption, but ^(F)the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And ^(G)let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, ^(H)if we do not give up. ¹⁰ So then, ^(I)as we have opportunity, let us ^(J)do good to everyone, and especially to those who are ^(K)of the household of faith.

¹⁵ Now I urge you, brothers^[a]—you know that ^(A)the household^[b] of Stephanas were ^(B)the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves ^(C)to the service of the saints—