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2 Corinthians 8
2 Corinthians 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the
grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their
joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their
liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea,
and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift,
and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the
saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first
gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of
God.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had
begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and
utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love
to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
8 I speak
not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of
others, and to prove 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 herein I give my advice:
for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only
to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
11 Now
therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness
to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye
have.
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is
accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that
he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased,
and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this
time 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 that had gathered much
had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care
into the heart of Titus for you.
17 For indeed he
accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own
accord he went unto you.
18 And we have sent with him
the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the
churches;
19 And not that only, but who was also chosen
of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is
administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and
declaration of your ready mind:
20 Avoiding this, that
no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered
by us:
21 Providing for honest things, 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 oftentimes
proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon
the great confidence which I have in you.
23 Whether any
do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the
messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
24
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of
your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
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