in you.

VIII.

AND we made known to you, brethren, the grace of God which has been
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2)that in much trial of
affliction was the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty
abounded to the riches of their liberality. (3)For according to their
power, I bear witness, and beyond their power, they were willing of
themselves; (4)with much entreaty beseeching of us the grace, and the
participation in the ministering to the saints; (5)and not as we
expected, but themselves they gave first to the Lord, and to us by the
will of God. (6)So that we exhorted Titus, that as he had before
begun, so he would also finish among you this grace also.

(7)But, as in everything ye abound, in faith, and utterance, and
knowledge, and all diligence, and your love to us, see that ye abound
in this grace also. (8)I say it not by way of command, but through the
forwardness of others proving also the sincerity of your love. (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. (10)And I give an opinion in this matter; for this is
expedient for you, who began before others, not only to do, but also
to will, a year ago. (11)And now perform the doing of it also; that as
there was the readiness to will, so there may be the performance
according to what ye have.

(12)For if there be first the willing mind, it is accepted according
to what a man has, not according to what he has not. (13)For it is not
that others may be eased, and ye burdened; (14)but, by the rule of
equality, at this present time your abundance being a supply for their
want, that also their abundance may be a supply for your want, that
there may be equality; as it is written: (15)He that gathered much had
nothing over, and he that gathered little did not lack.

(16)But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care for you into
the heart of Titus. (17)For he accepted indeed the exhortation; but
being very zealous, he went to you of his own accord. (18)And together
with him we sent the brother, whose praise in the gospel is throughout
all the churches; (19)and not that only, but who was also appointed by
the churches, as our fellow-traveler with this gift[8:19] which is
administered by us, to further the glory of the Lord, and our zeal;
(20)being careful of this, that no one should blame us in this
abundance which is administered by us