1 AND I make known to you, brothers, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia,
2 that in much trying affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
3 For according to their ability, I testify, and beyond their ability, of their own accord,
4 with much entreaty they desired of us the favor of a participation in the service to the saints;
5 and not as we hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God,
6 so that we requested Titus, as he before began, that he would complete also this charity with you.
7 But as you abound in every thing, in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us, [we desire] that you may abound in this grace also.
8 I do not speak by command, but on account of the diligence of others, and to prove the genuineness of your love;
9 for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he became poor, though rich, that you by his poverty might be rich.
10 And in this case I give an opinion; for this is expedient for you, who began before to act in this matter and to act willingly a year ago.
11 And now, therefore, perform the doing also, that as there was a readiness to will, so also there may be a performance from what you have.
12 For if there is a willing mind, a man is acceptable according to what he has, and not according to what he has not.
13 Not that others may be relieved and you burdened,
14 but that there may be an equality; that at the present time your abundance may supply their deficiency, and that their abundance may supply your deficiency, that there may be an equality,
15 as it is written; He that [gathered] much had nothing over, and he that [gathered] little had no deficiency.
16 But thanks be to God, who put this care for you into the heart of Titus,
17 for he received the exhortation, and being extremely diligent went to you of his own accord.
18 And we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is in all the churches,
19 and not only so, but he has also been chosen by the churches as our travelling companion in this charity ministered by us for the glory of the same Lord and our promptitude,
20 guarding against this, that no one may blame us in this abundance administered by us;
21 for we provide things honorable not only before the Lord, but also before men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved in many services to be diligent, and who is now much more diligent from the great confidence in you.
23 If [any one inquires] respecting Titus, he is my companion and co-laborer for you; if our brothers, they are apostles of churches and the glory of Christ.
24 Show them therefore the proof of your love, and of our boasting of you before the churches.