¹Now we make known to you, brothers, the favor of God which has been bestowed among the assemblies of Macedonia,

²that in much proof of tribulation, the excess of their joy and their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their generosity.

³For according to their ability, I testify, and beside their ability, they were willing of themselves,

⁴with much entreaty imploring us for the favor and the fellowship of the service among the holy ones, that we would receive them,

⁵and not only even as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to us through the will of God.

⁶Accordingly we exhorted Titus, that even as he had begun, so also he may complete this favor with you as well.

⁷But just as in every way you abound, in trust and speech and knowledge and all earnestness and in the love from us in you, see that you also abound in this favor.

⁸I do not say this as a command, but through the earnestness of others, also proving the genuineness of your love;

⁹for you know the favor of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, that for your sake He became poor, being rich, so that you yourselves may be enriched through that poverty.

¹⁰And I give a judgment in this matter; indeed this is profitable for you, who not only began to act but also to will, a year ago.

¹¹Now then complete also the doing, so that just as there was the readiness to will, so also the completing out of that which you have.

¹²For if the readiness is present, anyone is acceptable as he shall have, not as he does not have.

¹³For it is not that there may be ease to others but affliction to you, but of equality;

¹⁴at the present appointed-time your excess will be for their need, so that also their excess may be for your need, so that there may become equality,

¹⁵even as it has been written: He who had much did not abound, and he who had little did not lack.

¹⁶However, thanks be to God, the One who gave the same earnestness for you into the heart of Titus,

¹⁷for indeed he accepted our appeal, but being very earnest, of his own accord he has gone out to you.

¹⁸And we have sent with him the brother whose praise in the good news is through all the assemblies.

¹⁹And not only that, but also having been chosen by the assemblies as our fellow traveler with this favor that is being administered by us toward the glory of the Lord himself and our readiness,

²⁰avoiding this, lest anyone may blame us in the abundance of this which is being administered by us;

²¹for we plan what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men.

²²And we sent to them our brother, whom we have proven in many things to be often earnest, but now much more earnest by his confidence which is in you.

²³Whether as regards Titus, he is my partner and a fellow worker for you; or our brothers, they are apostles of the assemblies, the glory of the Anointed One.

²⁴Therefore show to them, before the face of the assemblies, the proof of your love and of our boasting about you.