King James Version KJV
English Standard Version ESV
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
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We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among 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.
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for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
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For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
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begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of 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.
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and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
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Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.
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.
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But as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you--see that you excel in this act of grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
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I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
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.
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For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become 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.
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And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.
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.
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So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you 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.
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For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness
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:
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your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
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As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack."
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
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But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
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For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.
18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
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With him we are sendingthe brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.
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:
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And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
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We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,
21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
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for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.
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.
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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 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.
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As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, 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.
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So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.