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Chapter 8 |
| 1 | Moreover,
brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of
Macedonia; |
| 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. |
| 3
| For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their
power they were willing of themselves; |
| 4 | Praying us with much intreaty
that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the
ministering to the saints. |
|
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.
|
| 6 | Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also
finish in you the same grace also. |
| 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 | I speak
not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove
the sincerity of your love. |
|
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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
