1. Our brothers and sisters, we want you to know what God's grace has accomplished in the churches in Macedonia.
2. They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor.
3. I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will
4. they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God's people in Judea.
5. It was more than we could have hoped for! First they gave themselves to the Lord; and then, by God's will they gave themselves to us as well.
6. So we urged Titus, who began this work, to continue it and help you complete this special service of love.
7. You are so rich in all you have: in faith, speech, and knowledge, in your eagerness to help and in your love for us. And so we want you to be generous also in this service of love.
8. I am not laying down any rules. But by showing how eager others are to help, I am trying to find out how real your own love is.
9. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty.
10. My opinion is that it is better for you to finish now what you began last year. You were the first, not only to act, but also to be willing to act.