| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia: | 1We want you to know, brothers, about God's grace that was given to the churches of Macedonia. |
| 2During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into 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. |
| 3I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, | 3I can testify that by their own free will they have given to the utmost of their ability, yes, even beyond their ability. |
| 4they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, | 4They begged us earnestly for the privilege of participating in this ministry to the saints. |
| 5and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God's will. | 5We did not expect that! They gave themselves to the Lord first and then to us, since this was God's will. |
| 6So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you. | 6So we urged Titus to finish this work of kindness among you in the same way that he had started it. |
| 7Now as you excel in everything--faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us--excel also in this grace. | 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. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love. | 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: Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 there, it is acceptable according to what 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. |
| 13It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality-- | 13Not that others should have relief while you have hardship. Rather, it is a question of fairness. |
| 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. | 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 has been written: The person who gathered much did not have too much, and the person 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." |
| 16Thanks be to God who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus. | 16But thanks be to God, who placed in the heart of Titus the same dedication to you that I have. |
| 17For he accepted our urging and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice. | 17He welcomed my request and eagerly went to visit you by his own free will. |
| 18We have sent with him the brother who is praised throughout the churches for his gospel ministry. | 18With him we have sent the brother who is praised in all the churches for spreading the gospel. |
| 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. | 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 are taking this precaution so no one can criticize us about this large sum administered by us. | 20We are trying to avoid any criticism of the way we are administering this great undertaking. |
| 21For we are making provision for 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you. | 24Therefore, demonstrate to the churches that you love them and show them publicly why we boast about you. |
|
