Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; 2how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, 4beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints: 5and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. 6Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also. 7But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. 9For 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 become rich. 10And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. 11But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. 12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not. 13For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed; 14but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality: 15as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.

16But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. 18And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches; 19and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness: 20avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us: 21for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22And 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 hath in you. 23Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ. 24Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.

9 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them. 3But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared: 4lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. 5I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

6But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: 9as it is written,

He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor;

His righteousness abideth for ever.

10And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: 11ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God; 13seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all; 14while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.