Epistula II ad Corinthios, 8

1. Notam autem facimus vobis, fratres, gratiam Dei, quae data est in ecclesiis Macedoniae,

1. We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedo'nia,

2. quod in multo experimento tribulationis abundantia gaudii ipsorum et altissima paupertas eorum abundavit in divitias simplicitatis eorum;

2. for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part.

3. quia secundum virtutem, testimonium reddo, et supra virtutem voluntarii fuerunt

3. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will,

4. cum multa exhortatione obsecrantes nos gratiam et communicationem ministerii, quod fit in sanctos.

4. begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints --

5. Et non sicut speravimus, sed semetipsos dederunt primum Domino, deinde nobis per voluntatem Dei,

5. and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

6. ita ut rogaremus Titum, ut, quemadmodum coepit, ita et perficiat in vos etiam gratiam istam.

6. Accordingly we have urged Titus that as he had already made a beginning, he should also complete among you this gracious work.

7. Sed sicut in omnibus abundatis, fide et sermone et scientia et omni sollicitudine et caritate ex nobis in vobis, ut et in hac gratia abundetis.

7. Now as you excel in everything -- in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us -- see that you excel in this gracious work also.

8. Non quasi imperans dico, sed per aliorum sollicitudinem etiam vestrae caritatis ingenitum bonum comprobans;

8. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

9. scitis enim gratiam Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quoniam propter vos egenus factus est, cum esset dives, ut illius inopia vos divites essetis.

9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

10. Et consilium in hoc do. Hoc enim vobis utile est, qui non solum facere, sed et velle coepistis ab anno priore;

10. And in this matter I give my advice: it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire,

11. nunc vero et facto perficite, ut, quemadmodum promptus est animus velle, ita sit et perficere ex eo, quod habetis.

11. so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

12. Si enim voluntas prompta est, secundum id quod habet, accepta est, non secundum quod non habet.

12. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not.

13. Non enim, ut aliis sit remissio, vobis autem tribulatio; sed ex aequalitate

13. I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened,

14. in praesenti tempore vestra abundantia illorum inopiam suppleat, ut et illorum abundantia vestram inopiam suppleat, ut fiat aequalitas, sicut scriptum est:

14. but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality.

15. “Qui multum, non abundavit; et, qui modicum, non minoravit”.

15. As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

16. Gratias autem Deo, qui dedit eandem sollicitudinem pro vobis in corde Titi,

16. But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

17. quoniam exhortationem quidem suscepit, sed, cum sollicitior esset, sua voluntate profectus est ad vos.

17. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.

18. Misimus etiam cum illo fratrem, cuius laus est in evangelio per omnes ecclesias

18. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel;

19. — non solum autem, sed et ordinatus ab ecclesiis comes noster cum hac gratia, quae ministratur a nobis ad Domini gloriam et destinatam voluntatem nostram —

19. and not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which we are carrying on, for the glory of the Lord and to show our good will.

20. devitantes hoc, ne quis nos vituperet in hac plenitudine, quae ministratur a nobis;

20. We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are administering,

21. providemus enim bona non solum coram Domino sed etiam coram hominibus.

21. for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of men.

22. Misimus autem cum illis et fratrem nostrum, quem probavimus in multis saepe sollicitum esse, nunc autem multo sollicitiorem, confidentia multa in vos.

22. And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.

23. Sive pro Tito, est socius meus et in vos adiutor; sive fratres nostri, apostoli ecclesiarum, gloria Christi.

23. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

24. Ostensionem ergo, quae est caritatis vestrae et nostrae gloriationis pro vobis, in illos ostendite in faciem ecclesiarum.

24. So give proof, before the churches, of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.