1Now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace God has shown through the churches in Macedonia.
2Their great joy and extreme poverty overflowed into rich generosity, even though they were severely tested by suffering.
3I can testify that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could, completely of their own free will.
4They urgently pleaded with us to let them share in this generous service to God's people.
5They did more than we expected; they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us, as God wanted.
6So we urged Titus that, just as he had started this gracious work among you before, he should also complete it.
7Since you excel in everything—in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in complete dedication, and in your love for us—make sure you also excel in this act of generosity.
8I am not giving you a command, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9For you know the kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, that even though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich.
10I am giving you my opinion on this, because it is helpful for you. A year ago, you were the first not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
11Now, finish what you started, so that your willingness to do it will be matched by your ability to complete it.
12For if you are eager to give, your gift is acceptable based on what you have, not on what you don’t have.
13The goal is not to burden others and give you relief,
14but to create equality. At this time, your abundance can help supply what they lack, so that their abundance may in turn help supply what you lack. In this way, there will be equality.
15As the Scripture says, “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
16But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest concern for you into Titus’s heart.
17For Titus welcomed our request, and being very enthusiastic himself, he went to you on his own initiative.
18We are sending with him the brother whose praise in spreading the Good News is known throughout all the churches.
19Not only that, but the churches also chose this man to travel with us, bringing this gift. We are doing this to honor the Lord himself and to show how ready we are to help.
20We are trying to avoid any situation where someone might blame us regarding how we handle this large sum of money.
21We aim to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of people.
22We have sent our brother with them. We have often seen how devoted he is in many things, but now he is much more devoted because of the great trust he has in you.
23As for Titus, he is my partner and works with me for your benefit. As for our brothers, they are messengers from the churches, bringing glory to Christ.
24So, show them, in front of the churches, proof of your love and the reason for our bragging about you.