1And now, brethren, we want you to know of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2For during a great test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty overflowed in a wealth of liberality. 3For I bear witness that they gave according to their ability, yea, and beyond their ability, and of their own accord; 4Begging us most insistently that we would allow them the privilege of taking part in this service to the saints. 5And this they did, not as we expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus, since he had already begun, that he would also finish this gracious work among you. 7Therefore, as you excel in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love for us, see that you excel in this gracious work as well. 8I do not speak this as a commandment, but to use the zeal of others to test the sincerity of your own love. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that through his poverty you might become rich. 10And here I give my advice about what is best for you: a year ago you were the first not only to give, but to desire to do so. 11Therefore, complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness in desiring it, so there may also be a completion of it, according to your means. 12For if there is first a willing mind, it is acceptable, according to what a man has, and not according to that he does not have. 13I do not intend that other men be eased, and you burdened, 14But for there to be equality; at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance may also be a supply for your want: that there may be equality. 15As it is written, He who gathered much did not have too much; and he who gathered little had no lack. 16But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17For he not only accepted our appeal; but being very earnest, he is going to you of his own accord. 18And we have sent with him the brother whose fame in the gospel ministry has spread throughout all the churches; 19And not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is administered by us for the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our good will. 20We intend that that no man should blame us about this abundant gift which we are administering: 21For we take care to do what is honest, 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 often tested and found to be diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which he has in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; and as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. 24Therefore show to them, before the churches, the proof of your love, and the reason for our boasting about you.