RKJNT(i)
1 And now, brethren, we want you to know of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 For during a great test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty overflowed in a wealth of liberality.
3 For I bear witness that they gave according to their ability, yea, and beyond their ability, and of their own accord;
4 Begging us most insistently that we would allow them the privilege of taking part in this service to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus, since he had already begun, that he would also finish this gracious work among you.
7 Therefore, as you excel in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love for us, see that you excel in this gracious work as well.
8 I do not speak this as a commandment, but to use the zeal of others to test the sincerity of your own love.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that through his poverty you might become rich.
10 And here I give my advice about what is best for you: a year ago you were the first not only to give, but to desire to do so.
11 Therefore, complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness in desiring it, so there may also be a completion of it, according to your means.
12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is acceptable, according to what a man has, and not according to that he does not have.
13 I do not intend that other men be eased, and you burdened,
14 But for there to be equality; at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance may also be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.
15 As it is written, He who gathered much did not have too much; and he who gathered little had no lack.
16 But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 For he not only accepted our appeal; but being very earnest, he is going to you of his own accord.
18 And we have sent with him the brother whose fame in the gospel ministry has spread throughout all the churches;
19 And not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is administered by us for the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our good will.
20 We intend that that no man should blame us about this abundant gift which we are administering:
21 For we take care to do what is honest, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found to be diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which he has in you.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; and as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.
24 Therefore show to them, before the churches, the proof of your love, and the reason for our boasting about you.