8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:

8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
8:2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

8:3 For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;
8:3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,

8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
8:4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

8:5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
8:5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
8:6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.

8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.
8:7 But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also.

8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
8:8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.

8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

8:10 And herein I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
8:10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;

8:11 Now therefore perform the doing [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out of that which ye have.
8:11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.

8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.
8:12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

8:13 For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
8:13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;

8:14 But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:
8:14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack--that there may be equality.

8:15 As it is written, He that [had gathered ] much had nothing over; and he that [had gathered ] little had no lack.
8:15 As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

8:16 But thanks [be] to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
8:16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

8:17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
8:17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord.

8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise [is] in the gospel throughout all the churches;
8:18 And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,

8:19 And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [declaration of] your ready mind:
8:19 and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind,

8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
8:20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us--

8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
8:21 providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which [I have] in you.
8:22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you.

8:23 Whether [any do enquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren [be enquired of, they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] the glory of Christ.
8:23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
8:24 Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.