2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Generosity Commended
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
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2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
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3 For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;
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4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
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5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
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6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
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7 Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.
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8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
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9 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 be rich.
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10 And herein I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
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11 Now therefore perform the doing [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out of that which ye have.
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12 For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.
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13 For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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14 But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:
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15 As it is written, He that [had gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [had gathered] little had no lack.
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