2 Corinthians 8-9

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

8 Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.

² That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy; and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.

³ For according to their power (I bear them witness), and beyond their power, they were willing.

⁴ With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.

⁵ And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God:

⁶ Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.

⁷ That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace also you may abound.

⁸ I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.

⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich.

¹⁰ And herein I give my advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.

¹¹ Now therefore perform ye it also in deed; that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.

¹² For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which he hath not.

¹³ For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by an equality.

¹⁴ In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,

¹⁵ As it is written: He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.

¹⁶ And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.

¹⁷ For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.

¹⁸ We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches.

¹⁹ And not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord, and our determined will:

²⁰ Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.

²¹ For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men.

²² And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence in you,

²³ Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

²⁴ Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.

9 For concerning the ministry that is done towards the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.

² For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you to the Macedonians. That Achaia also is ready from the year past, and your emulation hath provoked very many.

³ Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we boast of concerning you, be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:

⁴ Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in this matter.

⁵ Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before, and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.

⁶ Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings.

⁷ Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound in you; that ye always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work,

⁹ As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.

¹⁰ And he that ministereth seed to the sower, will both give you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:

¹¹ That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

¹² Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord,

¹³ By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them, and unto all.

¹⁴ And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.

¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.