Epistula II ad Corinthios, 8
1. notam autem facimus vobis fratres gratiam Dei quæ data est in ecclesiis Macedoniæ
1. Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.
2. quod in multo experimento tribulationis abundantia gaudii ipsorum et altissima paupertas eorum abundavit in divitias simplicitatis eorum
2. That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy; and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.
3. quia secundum virtutem testimonium illis reddo et supra virtutem voluntarii fuerunt
3. For according to their power ( I bear them witness), and beyond their power, they were willing.
4. cum multa exhortatione obsecrantes nos gratiam et communicationem ministerii quod fit in sanctos
4. With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.
5. et non sicut speravimus sed semet ipsos dederunt primum Domino deinde nobis per voluntatem Dei
5. And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God:
6. ita ut rogaremus Titum ut quemadmodum cœpit ita et perficiat in vos etiam gratiam istam
6. Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.
7. sed sicut in omnibus abundatis fide et sermone et scientia et omni sollicitudine et caritate vestra in nos ut et in hac gratia abundetis
7. That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace also you may abound.
8. non quasi imperans dico sed per aliorum sollicitudinem etiam vestræ caritatis ingenitum bonum conprobans
8. I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.
9. scitis enim gratiam Domini nostri Jesu 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 being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich.
10. et consilium in hoc do hoc enim vobis utile est qui non solum facere sed et velle cœpistis ab anno priore
10. And herein I give my advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.
11. nunc vero et facto perficite ut quemadmodum promptus est animus voluntatis ita sit et perficiendi ex eo quod habetis
11. Now therefore perform ye it also in deed; that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.
12. si enim voluntas prompta est secundum id quod habet accepta est non secundum quod non habet
12. For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which he hath not.
13. non enim ut aliis sit remissio vobis autem tribulatio sed ex æqualitate
13. For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by an equality.
14. in præsenti tempore vestra abundantia illorum inopiam suppleat ut et illorum abundantia vestræ inopiæ sit supplementum ut fiat æqualitas sicut scriptum est
14. In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,
15. qui multum non abundavit et qui modicum non minoravit
15. As it is written: He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.
16. gratias autem Deo qui dedit eandem sollicitudinem pro vobis in corde Titi
16. And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.
17. quoniam exhortationem quidem suscepit sed cum sollicitior esset sua voluntate profectus est ad vos
17. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.
18. misimus etiam cum illo fratrem cujus laus est in evangelio per omnes ecclesias
18. We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches.
19. non solum autem sed et ordinatus ab ecclesiis comes peregrinationis nostræ in hac gratia quæ ministratur a nobis ad Domini gloriam et destinatam voluntatem nostram
19. And not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord, and our determined will:
20. devitantes hoc ne quis nos vituperet in hac plenitudine quæ ministratur a nobis
20. Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.
21. providemus enim bona non solum coram Deo sed etiam coram hominibus
21. For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men.
22. misimus autem cum illis et fratrem nostrum quem probavimus in multis sæpe sollicitum esse nunc autem multo sollicitiorem confidentia multa in vos
22. And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence in you,
23. sive pro Tito qui est socius meus et in vos adiutor sive fratres nostri apostoli ecclesiarum gloriæ Christi
23. Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24. ostensionem ergo quæ est caritatis vestræ et nostræ gloriæ pro vobis in illos ostendite in faciem ecclesiarum
24. Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.
