21 [7:12]If therefore I wrote to you, it was not on account of him that did the wrong, nor on account of him that suffered wrong, but that our diligence in your behalf might be manifest before God. [7:13]On this account we were comforted. And in addition to our comfort, we rejoiced more abundantly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all; [7:14]for if I had boasted of you to him I was not ashamed, but as we said all things to you in truth, so also the boasting of you to Titus was truth. [7:15]And his affection is more abundant for you, remembering the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. [7:16]I rejoice that I have confidence in you in every thing. CHAPTER II. A CONTRIBUTION SOLICITED FOR THE SAINTS AT JERUSALEM. 1 [8:1]AND I make known to you, brothers, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, [8:2]that in much trying affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. [8:3]For according to their ability, I testify, and beyond their ability, of their own accord, [8:4]with much entreaty they desired of us the favor of a participation in the service to the saints; [8:5]and not as we hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God, [8:6]so that we requested Titus, as he before began, that he would complete also this charity with you. [8:7]But as you abound in every thing, in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us, [we desire] that you may abound in this grace also. 2 [8:8]I do not speak by command, but on account of the diligence of others, and to prove the genuineness of your love; [8:9]for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he became poor, though rich, that you by his poverty might be rich. [8:10]And in this case I give an opinion; for this is expedient for you, who began before to act in this matter and to act willingly a year ago. [8:11]And now, therefore, perform the doing also, that as there was a readiness to will, so also there may be a performance from what you have. [8:12]For if there is a willing mind, a man is acceptable according to what he has, and not according to what he has not. [8:13]Not that others may be relieved and you burdened, [8:14]but that there may be an equality; that at the present time your abundance may supply their deficiency, and that their abundance may supply your deficiency, that there may be an equality, [8:15]as it is written; He that [gathered] much had nothing over, and he that [gathered] little had no deficiency.