ABU(i)
1 AND we made known to you, brethren, the grace of God which has been bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 that in much trial of affliction was the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
3 For according to their power, I bear witness, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves;
4 with much entreaty beseeching of us the grace, and the participation in the ministering to the saints;
5 and not as we expected, but themselves they gave first to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.
6 So that we exhorted Titus, that as he had before begun, so he would also finish among you this grace also.
7 But, as in everything ye abound, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and all diligence, and your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
8 I say it not by way of command, but through the forwardness of others proving also the sincerity of your love.
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.
10 And I give an opinion in this matter; for this is expedient for you, who began before others, not only to do, but also to will, a year ago.
11 And now perform the doing of it also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the performance according to what ye have.
12 For if there be first the willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man has, not according to what he has not.
13 For it is not that others may be eased, and ye burdened;
14 but, by the rule of equality, at this present time your abundance being a supply for their want, that also their abundance may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality; as it is written:
15 He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little did not lack.
16 But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 For he accepted indeed the exhortation; but being very zealous, he went to you of his own accord.
18 And together with him we sent the brother, whose praise in the gospel is throughout all the churches;
19 and not that only, but who was also appointed by the churches, as our fellow-traveler with this gift which is administered by us, to further the glory of the Lord, and our zeal;
20 being careful of this, that no one should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us;
21 for we provide for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we sent with them our brother, whom we have often in many things proved to be diligent, but now much more diligent, through the great confidence which he has toward you.
23 As to Titus, he is my partner, and in regard to you a fellow-laborer; as to our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show toward them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.