2 Corinthians 8:1–15

APPEAL TO COMPLETE THE COLLECTION

8We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches^c of Macedonia:^{d 2}During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.^{e 3}I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, ⁴they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing^f in the ministry to the saints, ⁵and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will.^{g 6}So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this act of grace.

⁷Now as you excel in everything—in faith, speech, knowledge,^h and in all diligence, and in your love for us^A—excel also in this act of grace. ⁸I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love. ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich,ⁱ for your sake he became poor,^j so that by his poverty you might become rich. ¹⁰And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it.^{k 11}Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have. ¹²For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.^{l 13}It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality.^{B 14}At the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may in turn meet your need, in order that there may be equality. ¹⁵As it is written: The person who had much did not have too much, and the person who had little did not have too little.^Cm