2 Corinthians 8

₁Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; ₂how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. ₃For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; ₄praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ₅And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. ₆Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. ₇Therefore, 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.

₈I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. ₉For 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. ₁₀And 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. ₁₁Now 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. ₁₂For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. ₁₃For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: ₁₄but 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: ₁₅as it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

₁₆But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. ₁₇For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. ₁₈And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; ₁₉and 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: ₂₀avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: ₂₁providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. ₂₂And 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. ₂₃Whether 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. ₂₄Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.