Parallel Bible results for "2 corinthians 8"

2 Corinthians 8

Common English Bible CEB

1 Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia.

2 While they were being tested by many problems, their extra amount of happiness and their extreme poverty resulted in a surplus of rich generosity.

3 I assure you that they gave what they could afford and even more than they could afford, and they did it voluntarily.

4 They urgently begged us for the privilege of sharing in this service for the saints.

5 They even exceeded our expectations, because they gave themselves to the Lord first and to us, consistent with God's will.

6 As a result, we challenged Titus to finish this work of grace with you the way he had started it.

7 Be the best in this work of grace in the same way that you are the best in everything, such as faith, speech, knowledge, total commitment, and the love we inspired in you.

8 I'm not giving an order, but by mentioning the commitment of others, I'm trying to prove the authenticity of your love also.

9 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although he was rich, he became poor for our sakes, so that you could become rich through his poverty.

10 I'm giving you my opinion about this. It's to your advantage to do this, since you not only started to do it last year but you wanted to do it too.

11 Now finish the job as well so that you finish it with as much enthusiasm as you started, given what you can afford.

12 A gift is appreciated because of what a person can afford, not because of what that person can't afford, if it's apparent that it's done willingly.

13 It isn't that we want others to have financial ease and you financial difficulties, but it's a matter of equality.

14 At the present moment, your surplus can fill their deficit so that in the future their surplus can fill your deficit. In this way there is equality.

15 As it is written, The one who gathered more didn't have too much, and the one who gathered less didn't have too little.

16 But thank God, who put the same commitment that I have for you in Titus' heart.

17 Not only has he accepted our challenge but he's on his way to see you voluntarily, and he's excited.

18 We are sending the brother who is famous in all the churches because of his work for the gospel along with him.

19 In addition to this, he is chosen by the churches to be our traveling companion in this work of grace, which we are taking care of for the sake of the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our desire to help.

20 We are trying to avoid being blamed by anyone for the way we take care of this large amount of money.

21 We care about doing the right thing, not only in the Lord's eyes but also in the eyes of other people.

22 We are sending our brother with them. We have tested his commitment in many ways and many times. Now he's even more committed, because he has so much confidence in you.

23 If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and coworker among you. If there is any question about our brothers, they are the churches' apostles and an honor to Christ.

24 So show them the proof of your love and the reason we are so proud of you, in such a way that the churches can see it.

GOD'S WORD Translation GW

1 Brothers and sisters, we want you to know how God showed his kindness to the churches in the province of Macedonia.

2 While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous.

3 I assure you that by their own free will they have given all they could, even more than they could afford.

4 They made an appeal to us, begging us to let them participate in the ministry of God's kindness to his holy people [in Jerusalem].

5 They did more than we had expected. First, they gave themselves to the Lord and to us, since this was God's will.

6 This led us to urge Titus to finish his work of God's kindness among you in the same way as he had already started it.

7 Indeed, the more your faith, your ability to speak, your knowledge, your dedication, and your love for us increase, the more we want you to participate in this work of God's kindness.

8 I'm not commanding you, but I'm testing how genuine your love is by pointing out the dedication of others.

9 You know about the kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor in order to make you rich through his poverty.

10 I'm giving you my opinion because it will be helpful to you. Last year you were not only willing [to take a collection] but had already started to do it.

11 So finish what you began to do. Then your willingness will be matched by what you accomplish

12 with whatever contributions you have. Since you are willing to do this, [remember] that people are accepted if they give what they are able to give. God doesn't ask for what they don't have.

13 I don't mean that others should have relief while you have hardship. Rather, it's a matter of striking a balance.

14 At the present time, your surplus fills their need so that their surplus may fill your need. In this way things balance out.

15 This is what Scripture says: "Those who had gathered a lot didn't have too much, and those who gathered a little didn't have too little."

16 I thank God for making Titus as dedicated to you as I am.

17 He accepted my request and eagerly went to visit you by his own free will.

18 With him we have sent our Christian brother whom all the churches praise for the way he tells the Good News.

19 More than that, the churches elected him to travel with us and bring this gift of God's kindness. We are administering it in a way that brings glory to the Lord and shows that we are doing it willingly.

20 We don't want anyone to find fault with the way we are administering this generous gift.

21 We intend to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people.

22 We have also sent with them our Christian brother whom we have often tested in many ways and found to be a dedicated worker. We find that he is much more dedicated now than ever because he has so much confidence in you.

23 If any questions are raised, remember that Titus is my partner and coworker to help you. The other men are representatives of the churches and bring glory to Christ.

24 So give these men a demonstration of your love. Show their congregations that we were right to be proud of you.