¶ Moreover, brethren, we¹ do you to wit of the grace² of God bestowed on the churches³ of Macedonia;

How that in⁴ a great trial of affliction the abundance⁵ of their joy and their deep⁶ poverty abounded unto the riches⁷ of their liberality⁸.

For to⁹ their power, I bear¹⁰ record, yea, and beyond¹¹ their power they were willing of themselves;

Praying us with much intreaty that¹² we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering¹³ to the saints.

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first¹⁴ gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto¹⁵ us by the will of God.

Insomuch that we¹⁶ desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace¹⁷ also.

¶ Therefore, as¹⁸ ye abound in every thing, in faith¹⁹, and utterance, and knowledge²⁰, and in all diligence, and in your²¹ love to us, see²² that ye abound in this²³ grace also.

I speak²⁴ not by commandment, but by occasion²⁵ of the forwardness of others, and to prove²⁶ the sincerity of your love.

For ye know the grace²⁷ of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though²⁸ he was rich, yet for²⁹ your sakes he became³⁰ poor, that ye³¹ through his poverty might be rich.

¶ And herein I give³² my advice: for this is expedient³³ for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be³⁴ forward³⁵ a year ago.

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.

For if³⁶ there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

For I mean not³⁷ that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

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:

³⁸As it is written, He that had gathered] much had nothing over; and he that had gathered] little had no lack.

¶ But thanks³⁹ be to God, which put the same earnest⁴⁰ care into the heart of Titus for you.

For indeed he accepted⁴¹ the exhortation; but⁴² being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

And we have sent with him the brother⁴³, whose praise is in the gospel throughout⁴⁴ all the churches;

And not that only, but⁴⁵ who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace⁴⁶, which is administered by us to the⁴⁷ glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

¶ Avoiding this, that⁴⁸ no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

Providing for⁴⁹ honest things, not⁵⁰ only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

And we have sent with them our brother, whom⁵¹ we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have⁵² in you.

Whether any do enquire of Titus⁵³, he is my⁵⁴ partner and fellowhelper⁵⁵ concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers⁵⁶ of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

⁵⁷Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.