Moreover,
brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
02 How that in a great trial of affliction the
abundance of their joy and their deep poverty
abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
03 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and
beyond their power they were willing of
themselves;
04 Praying us with much intreaty that we would
receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship
of the ministering to the saints.
05 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.
06 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had
begun, so he would also finish in you the same
grace also.
07 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.
08 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of
the forwardness of others, and to prove the
sincerity of your love.
09 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.
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.
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.
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.
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13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye
burdened:
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:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much
had nothing over; and he that had gathered little
had no lack.
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same
earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but
being more forward, of his own accord he went
unto you.
18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose
praise is in the gospel throughout all the
churches;
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:
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in
this abundance which is administered by us:
21 Providing for honest things, not only in the
sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
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.
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.
24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the
churches, the proof of your love, and of our
boasting on your behalf.
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