The Daily Audio Bible

8 We also make known to you, brothers, the grace of God bestowed upon the Churches of Macedonia.

² Because, in great trial of affliction, their joy abounded, and their most extreme poverty abounded unto their rich generosity.

³ For to their power I bear record. Yea, and beyond their power they were willing.

⁴ And asked us with great instance to receive the grace and fellowship of the ministry which is toward the Saints.

⁵ And this they did, not as we expected; but gave themselves, first to the Lord, and afterwards to us, by the will of God;

⁶ that we should exhort Titus to accomplish the same grace among you which he had begun.

⁷ Therefore, as you abound in everything - in faith and word and knowledge and in all diligence and in your love towards us - see that you also abound in this grace.

⁸ This I say not by commandment, but because of the diligence of others. Therefore, I prove the sincerity of your love.

⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: that He, being rich, became poor for your sakes. So that you, through his poverty, might be made rich.

¹⁰ And in this I give my counsel. For it is profitable for those of you who a year ago began not only to do, but also to will.

¹¹ Now therefore, complete the doing of it also. So that as there was a readiness of will, you may also complete it out of that which you have.

¹² For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted, according to what one has, and not according to what he has not.

¹³ Nor should others be eased, and you grieved. But out of equality, your abundance supplies their lack at this time.

¹⁴ And also their abundance may be for your lack, that there may be equality.

¹⁵ As it is written, “He who gathered much, did not abound, and he who gathered little, did not lack.