Living_Oracles(i)
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the charity of God, which is given by the congregations of Macedonia;
2 that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their extreme poverty, superabounded to the riches of their liberality:
3 that to their power, (I bear witness,) yes, beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; with much entreaty
4 requesting us to accept the charity and the participation of the service, which is for the saints.
5 Yes, beyond our expectations; for they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
6 This moved us to entreat Titus, that as he had formerly begun, so he would also finish the same charity among you likewise.
7 Now as you abound in every gift, (in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us,) I wish that you may abound in this gift also.
8 I speak not this as an injunction, but on account of the diligence of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
9 (For you know the charity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor; that you, through his poverty, might be rich.)
10 And in this I give my opinion, not only to do, but also to be willing since the last year.
11 At present, therefore, finish the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will; so also let there be to finish, according to your ability.
12 For if there be a willing mind, according to what a person has, he is accepted; and not according to what he has not.
13 However, I mean not that others should be eased and you distressed; but on account of equality,
14 that now your abundance may be a supply for their want; that again, their abundance may be a supply for your want; that there may be an equality.
15 As it is written, "He who gathered much, had nothing over; and he who gathered little, had no lack."
16 Now thanks be to God, who has put the same earnest care concerning you, into the heart of Titus.
17 For he, indeed, received an exhortation; but from his great earnestness, was going to you of his own accord.
18 And with him we have sent the brother, whose praise in the gospel is throughout all the congregations.
19 And not only so, but who was also chosen by the congregations our fellow-traveler, with this charity, which is ministered by us, to the glory of the Lord himself, and of your readiness:
20 using this precaution, that none may blame us in the distribution of this abundance;
21 premeditating things comely, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in sight of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes found diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, from the great confidence which he has in you.
23 If any inquire concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow-laborer for you; or if our brethren be inquired of, they are Apostles of congregations, and a glory of Christ.
24 Wherefore, the proof of your love, and of our boasting concerning you, display before them, and before the face of the congregations.