LO - II Corinthians - 8

8:1  Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the charity of God, which is given by the congregations of Macedonia;

8:2  that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their extreme poverty, superabounded to the riches of their liberality:

8:3  that to their power, (I bear witness,) yes, beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; with much entreaty

8:4  requesting us to accept the charity and the participation of the service, which is for the saints.

8:5  Yes, beyond our expectations; for they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

8:6  This moved us to entreat Titus, that as he had formerly begun, so he would also finish the same charity among you likewise.

8:7  Now as you abound in every gift, (in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us,) I wish that you may abound in this gift also.

8:8  I speak not this as an injunction, but on account of the diligence of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

8:9  (For you know the charity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor; that you, through his poverty, might be rich.)

8:10  And in this I give my opinion, not only to do, but also to be willing since the last year.

8:11  At present, therefore, finish the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will; so also let there be to finish, according to your ability.

8:12  For if there be a willing mind, according to what a person has, he is accepted; and not according to what he has not.

8:13  However, I mean not that others should be eased and you distressed; but on account of equality,

8:14  that now your abundance may be a supply for their want; that again, their abundance may be a supply for your want; that there may be an equality.

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

8:16  Now thanks be to God, who has put the same earnest care concerning you, into the heart of Titus.

8:17  For he, indeed, received an exhortation; but from his great earnestness, was going to you of his own accord.

8:18  And with him we have sent the brother, whose praise in the gospel is throughout all the congregations.

8:19  And not only so, but who was also chosen by the congregations our fellow-traveler, with this charity, which is ministered by us, to the glory of the Lord himself, and of your readiness:

8:20  using this precaution, that none may blame us in the distribution of this abundance;

8:21  premeditating things comely, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in sight of men.

8:22  And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes found diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, from the great confidence which he has in you.

8:23  If any inquire concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow-laborer for you; or if our brethren be inquired of , they are Apostles of congregations, and a glory of Christ.

8:24  Wherefore, the proof of your love, and of our boasting concerning you, display before them, and before the face of the congregations.