Book of Common Prayer

8 My brothers, let me tell you how God has blessed the churches in Macedonia.

² They are being tested by much trouble. But they are always very happy. And they are very poor. Because of these two things, they give to others as if they were rich.

³ I can tell you because I saw it myself. They gave as much as they could and even more than that. They did it all because they wanted to.

⁴ They begged us to let them give something to help God's people.

⁵ And they did more than we thought they would do. First, they gave themselves to the Lord and to us, because we were doing God's work.

⁶ That is why we asked Titus to see about your gift. He started you off in your giving. And so he is the one to see that you finish it.

⁷ We remember how well you do in everything. You do well in believing, in talking, in knowing things, in trying your best, and in the way you love us. So now, do well in giving this gift.

⁸ I am not saying that you must do it. But I want to prove how strong your love is. That is why I have told you how other people show their love.

⁹ You know how much love our Lord Jesus Christ had. He was rich, but he became poor for your sakes. Because he became poor, you can become rich.

¹⁰ I tell you what I think. It is best for you to finish what you started a year ago. You were the first to think of helping, and you started to give money.

¹¹ So now, finish doing it. You wanted to do it, so now finish it. Give as much as you can.

¹² If a man wants to give, he is judged by what he has to give. He is not judged by what he cannot give.

¹³ I do not want it to be easy for others and hard for you.

¹⁴ I want it to be equal for everyone. Right now, you have plenty and are able to help them. Another time, when they have plenty, they will help you when you need it. In that way things will be equal.

¹⁵ The holy writings say, `The person who had plenty did not have too much. And the person who did not have much, had enough.' care for you into the heart of Titus that I have.

¹⁶ He was glad to go when I asked him, but he is also coming to you because he himself wants to come.

18 Jesus told them a story to teach them that they should keep on talking with God and not give up.

² He said, `There was a judge in a city. He did not respect God or care about people.

³ There was a woman in that city whose husband was dead. The woman came to the judge again and again. She said, "Save me from my enemy!"

⁴ For a long time he would not do it. But after a time he said, "I do not respect God or care about people.

⁵ But this woman is troubling me. So I will save her from her enemy. If I do not, she will keep coming until I am tired." '

⁶ The Lord said, `The judge was a bad man. And yet you should listen to what he says.

⁷ When the people whom God has chosen call to him day and night, he will save them from their enemies. He may let them wait a time.

⁸ But I tell you, he will save them from their enemies soon. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any people who believe in him?'