1We make known to you, brothers, the grace of God that was given in the assemblies of Macedonia.2that in much testing of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the riches of their generosity.3For according to their ability, I testify, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord.4with much entreaty urging us for the grace and the fellowship of the ministry to the saints,5and not as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.6so that we urged Titus that as he had begun beforehand, so he would also complete among you this grace.7but just as you abound in everything—in faith and word and knowledge and all diligence and the love from us that is in you—so may you also abound in this grace.8I do not speak according to command, but through the diligence of others testing the genuineness of your love.9for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.10and in this I give my judgment; for this is profitable for you, who began a year ago not only to do but also to desire.11and now complete the doing also, so that just as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion out of what you have.12for if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.13for it is not that others should have relief and you affliction, but that there may be equality.14at the present time your abundance should supply their deficiency, so that their abundance may supply your deficiency, that there may be equality.15as it is written, 'He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.'