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¹ Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia;² how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.³ For according to their power, I bear witness, yes and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,⁴ imploring us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints:⁵ and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.⁶ Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

⁷ But as you abound in everything, [in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all earnestness, and [in] our love to you, [see] that you abound in this grace also.⁸ I don't speak by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.¹⁰ And in this 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.¹¹ But now complete the doing also; that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability.¹² For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according to as [a man] has, not according to as [he] has not.¹³ For not that others may be eased [and] you distressed; but by equality:¹⁴ your abundance at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become for your want; that there may be equality:¹⁵ as it is written, He that [gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [gathered] little had no lack.

¹⁶ But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.¹⁷ For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth to you of his own accord.¹⁸ And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel [is spread] through all the churches;¹⁹ and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in [the matter of] this grace, which is being provided by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [to show] our readiness:²⁰ Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is being provided by us:²¹ for we take thought for things honorable, 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 many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which [he has] in you.²³ Whether [any inquire] about Titus, my partner and co-worker toward you, or our brothers, the messengers of the churches, [they are] the glory of Christ.²⁴ Therefore show to them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.