Common English Bible CEB
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia.
1
We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedo'nia,
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.
2
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part.
3 I assure you that they gave what they could afford and even more than they could afford, and they did it voluntarily.
3
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will,
4 They urgently begged us for the privilege of sharing in this service for the saints.
4
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints--
5 They even exceeded our expectations, because they gave themselves to the Lord first and to us, consistent with God's will.
5
and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
6 As a result, we challenged Titus to finish this work of grace with you the way he had started it.
6
Accordingly we have urged Titus that as he had already made a beginning, he should also complete among you this gracious work.
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.
7
Now as you excel in everything--in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us--see that you excel in this gracious work also.
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.
8
I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
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.
9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
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.
10
And in this matter I give my advice: it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire,
11 Now finish the job as well so that you finish it with as much enthusiasm as you started, given what you can afford.
11
so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.
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.
12
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not.
13 It isn't that we want others to have financial ease and you financial difficulties, but it's a matter of equality.
13
I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened,
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.
14
but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be 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.
15
As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack."
16 But thank God, who put the same commitment that I have for you in Titus' heart.
16
But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 Not only has he accepted our challenge but he's on his way to see you voluntarily, and he's excited.
17
For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.
18 We are sending the brother who is famous in all the churches because of his work for the gospel along with him.
18
With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel;
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.
19
and not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which we are carrying on, for the glory of the Lord and to show our good will.
20 We are trying to avoid being blamed by anyone for the way we take care of this large amount of money.
20
We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are administering,
21 We care about doing the right thing, not only in the Lord's eyes but also in the eyes of other people.
21
for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of men.
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.
22
And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great 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.
23
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of 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.
24
So give proof, before the churches, of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.