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Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia

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how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

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For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,

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beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:

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and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

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Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

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But as ye abound in everything, [in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all earnestness, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.

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I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

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For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.

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And herein I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

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But now complete the doing also that as [there was] the readiness to will, so [there may be] the completion also out of your ability.

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For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according as [a man] hath, not according as [he] hath not.

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For [I say] not [this] that others may be eased [and] ye distressed

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but by equality: your abundance [being a supply] at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become [a supply] for your want that there may be equality:

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as it is written, He that [gathered] much had nothing over and he that [gathered] little had no lack.