Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Macedonia Gave Sacrificially, So We Urged Titus To Go Complete Your Gracious Gift

8 Now we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God having been granted in the churches of Macedonia^[a]— ² that in a great test of ^[b] affliction their abundance of joy and their down deep poverty abounded into the riches of their generosity. ³ Because I testify that they gave in accordance with their ability and beyond their ability, of-their-own-accord, ⁴ with a great appeal begging from us the favor^[c] and the partnership^[d] in this ministry to the saints— ⁵ and not as we hoped^[e], but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God— ⁶ so that we urged^[f] Titus that just as he previously-began, so also he should complete this grace^[g] with reference to you also.

I Urge You To Abound In This Grace of Giving Because It Is Beneficial For You!

⁷ But just as you are abounding in everything— in faith and speech and knowledge and all earnestness, and in the love from us in you— I urge that you also be abounding in this grace.