| Christian Standard Bible | NET Bible |
| 1We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: | 1Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given 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. | 2that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. |
| 3I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, | 3For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, |
| 4they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, | 4begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping 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 they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God. |
| 6So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this act of grace. | 6Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for 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. | 7But as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you--make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too. |
| 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, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others. |
| 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, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could 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. | 10So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, |
| 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. | 11to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means. |
| 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 present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever 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. | 13For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter 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 abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus 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 is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little." |
| 16Thanks be to God, who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus. | 16But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you, |
| 17For he welcomed our appeal and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice. | 17because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, he is coming to you of his own accord. |
| 18We have sent with him the brother who is praised among all the churches for his gospel ministry. | 18And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel. |
| 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. | 19In addition, this brother has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help. |
| 20We are taking this precaution so that no one will criticize us about this large sum that we are administering. | 20We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. |
| 21Indeed, we are giving careful thought to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before people. | 21For we are concerned about 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. | 22And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has 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. | 23If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. |
| 24Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you. | 24Therefore show them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you. |
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