| NET Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 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 the grace of God granted 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. | 2During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity. |
| 3For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, | 3I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, |
| 4begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints. | 4they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the 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. | 5and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by 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 that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you. |
| 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. | 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, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others. | 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, 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 Christ: Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you 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, | 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. |
| 11to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means. | 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 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, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does 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. | 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 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 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 one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered 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. |
| 16But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you, | 16Thanks be to God who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus. |
| 17because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, he is coming to you of his own accord. | 17For he accepted our urging and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice. |
| 18And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel. | 18We have sent with him the brother who is praised throughout the churches for his gospel ministry. |
| 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. | 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 did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. | 20We are taking this precaution so no one can criticize us about this large sum administered by us. |
| 21For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men. | 21For we are making provision for what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men. |
| 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. 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. |
| 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 coworker serving you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. |
| 24Therefore show them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you. | 24Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you. |
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