2 Corinthians 8:6-14
New American Standard Bible
7But just as you excel in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you also excel in this gracious work.
8I am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
10I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
11But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
12For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality—
14at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for their need, so that their abundance also may serve as assistance for your need, so that there may be equality;
King James Version
Chapter 8
6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7Therefore, 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.
8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
9For 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.
10And 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.
11Now 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.
12For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
13For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14But 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:
Christian Standard Bible
7Now as you excel in everything—in faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us —excel also in this act of grace.
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: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
10And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it.
11Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have.
12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality.
14At the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may in turn meet your need, in order that there may be equality.
New Living Translation
Chapter 8
6So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7Since you excel in so many ways — in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us — I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
10Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.
11Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.
12Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.
13Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.
14Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.
English Standard Version
Chapter 8
6Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7But as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you — see that you excel in this act of grace also.
8I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
10And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.
11So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.
12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness
14your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
New International Version
Chapter 8
6So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.
11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
New King James Version
Chapter 8
6So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us— see that you abound in this grace also.
8I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
10And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;
11but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.
12For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
