[1] We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been
shown in the churches of Macedo'nia, [2] for in a severe test of
affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have
overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. [3] For they gave
according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of
their own free will, [4] begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part
in the relief of the saints-- [5] and this, not as we expected, but first
they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. [6]
Accordingly we have urged Titus that as he had already made a beginning, he
should also complete among you this gracious work. [7] Now as you excel in
everything--in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and
in your love for us--see that you excel in this gracious work also. [8] 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 though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that
by his poverty you might become rich. [10] And in this matter I give my
advice: it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not
only to do but to desire, [11] so that your readiness in desiring it may be
matched by your completing it out of what you have. [12] For if the
readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not
according to what he has not. [13] I do not mean that others should be
eased and you burdened, [14] but that as a matter of equality your
abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their
abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality. [15] As it is
written, "He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little
had no lack." [16] But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for
you into the heart of Titus. [17] For he not only accepted our appeal, but
being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. [18] With
him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his
preaching of the gospel; [19] and not only that, but he has been appointed
by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which we are
carrying on, for the glory of the Lord and to show our good will. [20] We
intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are
administering, [21] for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's
sight but also in the sight of men. [22] And with them we are sending our
brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but
who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.
[23] As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and
as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of
Christ. [24] So give proof, before the churches, of your love and of our
boasting about you to these men.
