| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, | 1We want you to know, brothers, about God's grace that was given to the churches of Macedonia. |
| 2that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. | 2In spite of their terrible ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and deep poverty have led them to be abundantly generous. |
| 3For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, | 3I can testify that by their own free will they have given to the utmost of their ability, yes, even beyond their ability. |
| 4begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints. | 4They begged us earnestly for the privilege of participating in this ministry to the saints. |
| 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. | 5We did not expect that! They gave themselves to the Lord first and then to us, since this was God's will. |
| 6Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you. | 6So we urged Titus to finish this work of kindness among you in the same way that he had started it. |
| 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. | 7Indeed, the more your faith, speech, knowledge, enthusiasm, and love for us increase, the more we want you to be rich in this work of kindness. |
| 8I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others. | 8I am not commanding you but testing the genuineness of your love by the enthusiasm of others. |
| 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. | 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. Although he was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich. |
| 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, | 10I am giving you my opinion on this matter because it will be helpful to you. Last year you were not only willing to do something, but had already started to do it. |
| 11to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means. | 11Now finish what you began, so that your eagerness to do so may be matched by your eagerness to complete it. |
| 12For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have. | 12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have. |
| 13For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. | 13Not that others should have relief while you have hardship. Rather, it is a question of fairness. |
| 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, | 14At the present time, your surplus fills their need, so that their surplus may fill your need. In this way things are fair. |
| 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." | 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." |
| 16But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you, | 16But thanks be to God, who placed in the heart of Titus the same dedication to you that I have. |
| 17because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, he is coming to you of his own accord. | 17He welcomed my request and eagerly went to visit you by his own free will. |
| 18And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel. | 18With him we have sent the brother who is praised in all the churches for spreading the gospel. |
| 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. | 19More than that, he has also been selected by the churches to travel with us while we are administering this work of kindness for the glory of the Lord and as evidence of our eagerness to help. |
| 20We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. | 20We are trying to avoid any criticism of the way we are administering this great undertaking. |
| 21For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men. | 21We intend to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people. |
| 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. | 22We have also sent with them our brother whom we have often tested in many ways and found to be dedicated. At present he is more dedicated than ever because he has so much confidence in you. |
| 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. | 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker on your behalf. Our brothers, emissaries from the churches, are bringing glory to the Messiah. |
| 24Therefore show them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you. | 24Therefore, demonstrate to the churches that you love them and show them publicly why we boast about you. |
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