Now , brothers , we want you to know about ... the grace (that) - God - has given ... the churches - of Macedonia.
- In (the) terrible ordeal they suffered , - - their abundant joy and - deep - - poverty overflowed into - rich - generosity -.
For I testify (that) (they gave) according to (their) ability and even beyond (it). Of their own accord ,
vvv vvv they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege - - of sharing in (this) service - to the saints.
And not (only) (did they do) as we expected , but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us , because it was (the) will of God.
So we - urged Titus - - - vvv to help complete - vvv your - (act of) grace , just as he had started (it).
But just as you excel in everything — in faith , - in speech , - in knowledge , in complete earnestness , and in the love we (inspired) in you — (see) that you also excel ... in this - grace of giving.
vvv I am not making - a demand , but I am testing the sincerity of your - love in comparison to the earnestness of others -.
For you know the grace of our - Lord Jesus Christ , that (though) He was rich , yet for your sakes ... He became poor , so that you - through (His) poverty might become rich.
And this is my opinion ... about what is helpful for you in this (matter) : vvv Last year (you were) the first not only - to (give) , but even - to have such a desire.
Now ... ... finish - the work , so that - you may complete it just as - eagerly - as you began ... ... , according to (your) means.
For if the eagerness is there , (the gift) is acceptable according to what one has , not according to vvv (what) he does not have.
(It is not our intention) ... that others may be relieved while you are burdened , but (that there may be) equality.
At the present time , your - surplus will meet their - need , so that in turn their - surplus will meet your - need. Then there will be equality.
As it is written : “ He who (gathered) - much vvv had no excess , and he who (gathered) - little vvv had no shortfall.”
But thanks (be) - to God , who put into the heart of Titus - the same devotion (I have) for you.
For not only did he welcome (our) appeal , but he {is} eagerly coming to you of his own volition.
Along with (Titus -) - we are sending the brother who - is praised by all the churches (for his work) in the gospel.
More than that ... ... ... ... , (this brother) was chosen by the churches to accompany us with (the offering) — the gracious gift - - we administer to - honor the Lord Himself and (to show) our eagerness (to help).
We (hope to) avoid - - any criticism - of - (the way) we administer this - generous ( gift ).
For we are taking great care to do what is right , not only in the eyes of (the) Lord , but also in the eyes of men.
And we are sending along with them our - brother whose vvv earnestness has been proven many times (and) in many ways , and now even more (so) by (his) great confidence - in you.
As for ... Titus - , (he is) my partner and fellow worker among you. (As for) our brothers , (they are) messengers of (the) churches , (to the) glory of Christ.
In full view of the churches , then , show - (these men) the proof of your love and vvv the reason for our boasting about you.