Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

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.