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. |
