| Christian Standard Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: | 1We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia: |
| 2During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. | 2During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity. |
| 3I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, | 3I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, |
| 4they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, | 4they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing 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. | 5and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God's will. |
| 6So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this act of grace. | 6So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you. |
| 7Now as you excel in everything--in faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us--excel also in this act of grace. | 7Now as you excel in everything--faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us--excel also in this 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. | 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, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. | 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, 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. | 10Now I am giving an opinion on this because it is profitable for you, who a year ago began not only to do something but also to desire it. |
| 11Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have. | 11But now finish the task as well, that just as there was eagerness to desire it, so there may also be a completion from 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. | 12For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. |
| 13It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality. | 13It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality-- |
| 14At 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. | 14at the present time your surplus is available for their need, so their abundance may also become available for our need, so 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. | 15As it has been written: The person who gathered much did not have too much, and the person who gathered little did not have too little. |
| 16Thanks be to God, who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus. | 16Thanks be to God who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus. |
| 17For he welcomed our appeal and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice. | 17For he accepted our urging and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice. |
| 18We have sent with him the brother who is praised among all the churches for his gospel ministry. | 18We have sent with him the brother who is praised throughout the churches for his gospel ministry. |
| 19And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gracious gift that we are administering for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. | 19And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gift that is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. |
| 20We are taking this precaution so that no one will criticize us about this large sum that we are administering. | 20We are taking this precaution so no one can criticize us about this large sum administered by us. |
| 21Indeed, we are giving careful thought to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before people. | 21For we are making provision for what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men. |
| 22We have also sent with them our brother. We have often tested him in many circumstances and found him to be diligent--and now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. | 22We have also sent with them our brother. We have often tested him in many circumstances and found him to be diligent--and now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. |
| 23As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker for you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. | 23As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker serving you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. |
| 24Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you. | 24Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you. |
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