MODERN LITERAL VERSION

8:1 Now brethren, we are making known to you* the grace of God which has been given in the congregations* of Macedonia;
8:2 because the abundance of their joy in much trial of affliction and in the depth of their poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
8:3 Because according to their power, I testify, and yet beyond their power, they gave of their own accord.
8:4 They were beseeching from us, with much pleading, to help in the favor and the fellowship of the service of relief to the holy-ones;
8:5 and, not only as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God.
8:6 *That* we might encourage Titus, that* just-as he made a beginning before, so he might also finish this grace in you*.
8:7 But as you* are abounding in everything, in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all diligence and in the love* from you* to us, see that* you* also may abound in this grace.
8:8 I do not speak according to commandment, but I am testing the genuineness of your* love* through the diligence of others.
8:9 For* you* know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet he became-poor because of you*, that* you* might be enriched through his poverty.
8:10 And I give my viewpoint in this; for* this is advantageous for you*, who were the first to make a beginning from the past-year, not only the doing of this, but also the will to do it.
8:11 But now also, finish the doing of it; *that just-as there was the eagerness to wish it, so there may also be the finishing of it out of what you* have.
8:12 For* if the eagerness lays before you *, according to whatever someone has, it is acceptable, not according to what he does not have.
8:13 For* I do not say that* there should be relief to others but affliction to you*, but from equality, your* abundance in this current time is *for their lack,
8:14 that* their abundance may also become *for your* lack, *that there may become equality,
8:15 as it has been written, ‘He who gathered much had no increase, and he who gathered little had no less.' {Ex. 16:18}

8:16 But gratitude is to God, who is giving the same diligent-aid into the heart of Titus on your* behalf.
8:17 Because he indeed accepted our encouragement, but being* more diligent, he went forth to you* of his own accord.
8:18 Now we have sent the brother with him whose praise in the good-news is known through all the congregations*;
8:19 and not only this, but also, having been assigned by the congregations* as our traveling-associate with this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our eagerness.
8:20 We are avoiding this, lest anyone might blame us in the matter of this lavish donation which is served by us;
8:21 planning-for good things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
8:22 Now we have sent our brother with them, whom we have proven many times diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, by the large confidence which he has in you*.
8:23 If anyone inquires in regard to Titus, whether our brethren, the ambassadors* of the congregations* (the glory of Christ)– he is my partner and my fellow worker *for you*.
8:24 Therefore show to them, the example of your* love* and of our boasting on your* behalf, in the face of the congregations*.