Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 8
{8:1} Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God
which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia; {8:2} how that in
much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep
poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. {8:3} For
according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they
gave of their own accord, {8:4} begging us with much entreaty to
receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
{8:5} This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own
selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. {8:6} So we
urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also
complete in you this grace. {8:7} But as you abound in everything, in
faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us,
see that you also abound in this grace. {8:8} I speak not by way of
commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the
sincerity also of your love. {8:9} For you know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became
poor, that you through his poverty might become rich. {8:10} I give a
judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to
start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing. {8:11} But
now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be
willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
{8:12} For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to
what you have, not according to what you don't have. {8:13} For this
is not that others may be eased and you distressed, {8:14} but for
equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack,
that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that
there may be equality. {8:15} As it is written, "He who gathered much
had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."[1]
{8:16} But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you
into the heart of Titus. {8:17} For he indeed accepted our
exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his
own accord. {8:18} We have sent together with him the brother whose
praise in the Good News is known through all the assemblies. {8:19}
Not only so, but who was also appointed by the assemblies to travel
with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord
himself, and to show our readiness. {8:20} We are avoiding this, that
any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is
administered by us. {8:21} Having regard for honorable things, not
only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. {8:22} 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 has in you. {8:23} As for Titus, he is my
partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the
apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ. {8:24} Therefore show
the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our
boasting on your behalf.
________________________________________________________________________
Footnotes:
[1] {8:15} Exodus 16:8
________________________________________________________________________
The World English Bible is dedicated to the Public Domain by the
translators and editors. It is not copyrighted. "World English Bible"
and the World English Bible logo are a trademarks of Rainbow Missions,
Inc. They may only be used to identify this translation of the Holy
Bible as published by Rainbow Missions, Inc., and faithful copies and
quotations. "Faithful copies" include copies converted to other formats
(i. e. HTML, PDF, etc.) or typeset differently, without altering the
text of the Scriptures, except that changing the spellings between
preferred American and British usage is allowed. Use of the markings of
direct quotes of Jesus Christ for different rendition (i. e. red text)
is optional. Comments and typo reports are welcome at
http://eBible.org/cgi-bin/comment.cgi. Please see
http://eBible.org/web/ for updates, revision status, free downloads,
and printed edition purchase information.
_______________________________________________
This message came to you through the Bible mailing list.
You may unsubscribe or change your address at any time at:
http://lists.ebible.org/mailman/listinfo/bible
