2 Corinthians 8

1 And we make known to you, brothers, the favor of God that has been given among the gatherings of Macedonia: [a] 2 that in a great proving by affliction, the abundance of their joy and their poverty down to the depths overflowed into the wealth of their simplicity; [b] 3 that according to ability — I testify to it — and beyond ability, of their own accord, 4 they begged us with much urging for the favor and the sharing of the service to the holy ones — [c] 5 and not as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us, through the will of God, 6 so that we urged Titus that, just as he had begun it before, so he should also finish this favor among you. [d]

7 But just as you abound in everything — in faith and word and knowledge and all diligence and in the love from us in you — see that you abound in this favor too. [e] 8 I am not speaking by way of an order, but through the diligence of others, and testing the genuineness of your love as well. 9 For you know the favor of our Lord Jesus Christ: that for your sake he became poor, being rich, so that you by his poverty might become rich. [f]

10 And I give an opinion in this, for this is what benefits you, who a year ago began before — not only the doing, but also the willing. 11 And now finish the doing too, so that just as there was the readiness to will, so there may also be the finishing, out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is well received according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. [g] 13 For this is not so that there may be ease for others and affliction for you, but out of equality: [h] 14 at the present time your abundance for their lack, so that their abundance may also come to be for your lack, so that there may be equality — 15 just as it is written: [i]

16 But thanks be to God, who gives the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus, [j] 17 because he received the urging, and being more diligent still, of his own accord he went out to you. 18 And we sent with him the brother whose praise in the good news is through all the gatherings — 19 and not only that, but he was also appointed by the gatherings as our fellow traveler with this favor that is being served by us, toward the glory of the Lord himself and our readiness — [k] 20 guarding against this: that no one should find fault with us in this lavish gift that is being served by us; [l] 21 for we plan what is good, not only before the Lord but also before people. [m] †

22 And we sent with them our brother whom we have tested many times in many things as diligent, and who is now much more diligent through the great confidence he has in you. 23 Whether about Titus — he is my partner and fellow worker for you; or our brothers — they are apostles of gatherings, the glory of Christ. [n] 24 So show them the demonstration of your love and of our boasting about you, before the face of the gatherings. [o]