1  Now we make known to you brothers, the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia,

1  MOREOVER, our brethren, we want you to know that the grace of God has been bestowed on the churches of Mac-e-doÆni-a

2  how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their generosity.

2  For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity.

3  For I bear witness that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,

3  For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,

3  And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability.

4  with much appeal, begging us [for ]the grace and the fellowship of the ministry to the saints-

4  beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints

5  and not as we hoped, but they first gave their own selves to YHWH, and then to us by the will of God,

5  And this is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also to us, through the will of God,

6  so that we urged Titus, that just as he had begun before, thus he would also finish this grace also in you.

6  Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

7  But as you abound in everything-in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us-see that you abound in this grace also.

8  I speak not by a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by means of the diligence of others.

8  I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.

8  I am not making a demand on you, but I am prompted by the devotion of your fellow believers to test the sincerity of your love.

9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet on account of you He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

10  And I give [my] opinion in this: For this is profitable for you, who not only previously began doing [this], but also desired to, since last year.

10  Herein I give you my advice: that it may help you to go forward and accomplish what you, of your own accord, began to do last year.

11  And now also complete doing [it]; that as indeed there[ was ]the readiness to desire [it], thus also there[ may be] the completion from what you have.

11  So, truly now, accomplish this in deed, so that, in the same manner as your willing mind is prompted, you may also act, out of that which you have.

11  Now therefore perform the doing of that which you wished to do; and as you were eager to promise it, so fulfil from that which you have.

12  For if there is first a readiness, it is acceptable according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

12  For if there is a willingness to give, every man can give according to that which he has, and not according to that which he has not, and his gift will be acceptable.

13  For I do not [mean] that others should be relieved and you burdened;

13  For [I say] not [this] that others may be eased [and] ye distressed;

13  And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should be an equality.

14  but by way of equality, that now at the present time your abundance [may supply] their need, that their abundance also may supply your need, in order that there may be equality.

14  But that there may be an equality at this particular time, that 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 [who ga]there[d] much did not have too much, and he [who gathered] little had no lack."

15  “He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little.”

16  But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you in the heart of Titus.

17  Because he accepted my appeal, but being more diligent, he came to you of his own accord.

17  For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.

17  For indeed he has accepted our appeal; and because he was very desirous, he went to you of his own accord.

18  And we sent together with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,

18  And we have also sent with him our brother, who has received praise throughout all the churches for his preaching of the gospel;

19  and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches as our traveling companion with this gift, which is ministered by us to the glory of YHWH Himself and [to show] our readiness-

19  So that he also has been chosen by the churches to travel with us for this relief which is administered by us to the very glory of God and for our own encouragement

20  avoiding this, lest anyone should blame us in this abundance which is ministered by us;

20  So let us avoid this, lest anyone disparage us over the abundance that is ministered by us.

20  But we are careful in this, lest any one should blame us in connection with this generous help which is administered by us.

21  having regard for honorable things, not only before YHWH, but also before men.

21  for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22  And we sent together with them our brother whom we often approved in many things, being diligent, but now [being ]much more diligent, by [his] great confidence in you.

22  and we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which [he hath] in you.

22  And we have also sent with them our brother, whom we have proven to be frequently solicitous in many matters. But now there is a greater solicitousness, which is greatly entrusted to you;

23  If [anyone inquires ]about Titus, [he is] my partner and fellow worker concerning you; or if our brothers [are inquired about], [they are] messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

23  and whether it concerns Titus, who is a companion to me and a helper to you, or whether it concerns our brothers, the Apostles of the churches, it is to the glory of Christ.

24  Therefore show to them the proof of your love, and of our boasting concerning you, before the churches.

24  Henceforth you can shew to them before all the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.