8 We want to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [arousing in them the desire to give alms];

² For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty [together] have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.

³ For, as I can bear witness, [they gave] according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and [they did it] voluntarily,

⁴ Begging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for [the relief and support of] the saints [in Jerusalem].

⁵ Nor [was this gift of theirs merely the contribution] that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [^[a]entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]—

⁶ So much so that we have urged Titus that as he began it, he should also complete this beneficent and gracious contribution among you [the church at Corinth].

⁷ Now as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything—in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us—[see to it that you come to the front now and] abound and excel in this gracious work [of almsgiving] also.

⁸ I give this not as an order [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the zeal of others, the sincerity of your [own] love also.

⁹ For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).

¹⁰ [It is then] my counsel and my opinion in this matter that I give [you when I say]: It is profitable and fitting for you [now to complete the enterprise] which more than a year ago you not only began, but were the first to wish to do anything [about contributions for the relief of the saints at Jerusalem].

¹¹ So now finish doing it, that your [enthusiastic] readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.

¹² For if the [eager] readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable and welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

¹³ For it is not [intended] that other people be eased and relieved [of their responsibility] and you be burdened and suffer [unfairly],

¹⁴ But to have equality [share and share alike], your surplus over necessity at the present time going to meet their want and to equalize the difference created by it, so that [at some other time] their surplus in turn may be given to supply your want. Thus there may be equality,

¹⁵ As it is written, He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack.^(A)

¹⁶ But thanks be to God Who planted the same earnest zeal and care for you in the heart of Titus.

¹⁷ For he not only welcomed and responded to our appeal, but was himself so keen in his enthusiasm and interest in you that he is going to you of his own accord.

¹⁸ But we are sending along with him that brother [Luke?] whose praise in the Gospel ministry [is spread] throughout all the churches;

¹⁹ And more than that, he has been appointed by the churches to travel as our companion in regard to this bountiful contribution which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself and [to show] our eager readiness [as Christians to help one another].

²⁰ [For] we are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution.

²¹ For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.

²² Moreover, along with them we are sending our brother, whom we have often put to the test and have found him zealous (devoted and earnest) in many matters, but who is now more [eagerly] earnest than ever because of [his] absolute confidence in you.

²³ As for Titus, he is my colleague and shares my work in your service; and as for the [other two] brethren, they are the [special] messengers of the churches, a credit and glory to Christ (the Messiah).

²⁴ Show to these men, therefore, in the sight of the churches, the reality and plain truth of your love (your affection, goodwill, and benevolence) and what [good reasons] I had for boasting about and being proud of you.

9 Now about the offering that is [to be made] for the saints (God’s people in Jerusalem), it is quite superfluous that I should write you;

² For I am well acquainted with your willingness (your readiness and your eagerness to promote it) and I have proudly told about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia (most of Greece) has been prepared since last year for this contribution; and [consequently] your enthusiasm has stimulated the majority of them.

³ Still, I am sending the brethren [on to you], lest our pride in you should be made an empty boast in this particular case, and so that you may be all ready, as I told them you would be;

⁴ Lest, if [any] Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared [for this generosity], we, to say nothing of yourselves, be humiliated for our being so confident.

⁵ That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brethren to go to you before I do and make arrangements in advance for this bountiful, promised gift of yours, so that it may be ready, not as an extortion [wrung out of you] but as a generous and willing gift.

⁶ [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [^[b]that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.

⁷ Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He ^[c]takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].^(B)

⁸ And God is able to make all grace (every favor and ^[d]earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need ^[e]be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

⁹ As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!^(C)

¹⁰ And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [^[f]which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].^(D)

¹¹ Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.

¹² For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints (God’s people), but it also overflows in many [cries of] thanksgiving to God.

¹³ Because at [your] standing of the test of this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty and obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all [the other needy ones].

¹⁴ And they yearn for you while they pray for you, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace (His favor and mercy and spiritual blessing which is shown forth) in you.

¹⁵ Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]!

24 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them;

² For their minds plot oppression and devise violence, and their lips talk of causing trouble and vexation.

³ Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],

⁴ And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

⁵ A wise man is strong and ^[a]is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power;^(A)

⁶ For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.

⁷ Wisdom is too high for a ^[b]fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate [where the city’s rulers sit in judgment].

⁸ He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.

⁹ The plans of the foolish and the thought of foolishness are sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.

¹⁰ If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

¹¹ Deliver those who are drawn away to death, and those who totter to the slaughter, hold them back [from their doom].

¹² If you [profess ignorance and] say, Behold, we did not know this, does not He Who weighs and ponders the heart perceive and consider it? And He Who guards your life, does not He know it? And shall not He render to [you and] every man according to his works?

¹³ My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

¹⁴ So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.

¹⁵ Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God); destroy not his resting-place;

¹⁶ For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.^(B)

¹⁷ Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles or is overthrown,

¹⁸ Lest the Lord see it and it be evil in His eyes and displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender].

¹⁹ Fret not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked,

²⁰ For there shall be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

²¹ My son, [reverently] fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],

²² For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment and ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon [the rebellious]?

²³ These also are sayings of the wise: To discriminate and show partiality, having respect of persons in judging, is not good.

²⁴ He who says to the wicked, You are righteous and innocent—peoples will curse him, nations will defy and abhor him.

²⁵ But to those [upright judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight, and a good blessing will be upon them.

²⁶ He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who give a right answer.

²⁷ [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home.

²⁸ Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips.^(C)

²⁹ Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed.^(D)

³⁰ I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

³¹ And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down.

³² Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction.

³³ Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—

³⁴ So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.

25 These are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:^(E)

² It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.^(F)

³ As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the hearts and minds of kings are unsearchable.

⁴ Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up].^(G)

⁵ Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

⁶ Be not forward (self-assertive and boastfully ambitious) in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;

⁷ For better it is that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whose eyes have seen you.^(H)

⁸ Rush not forth soon to quarrel [before magistrates or elsewhere], lest you know not what to do in the end when your neighbor has put you to shame.^(I)

⁹ Argue your cause with your neighbor himself; discover not and disclose not another’s secret,^(J)

¹⁰ Lest he who hears you revile you and bring shame upon you and your ill repute have no end.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.^(K)

¹² Like an earring or nose ring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and obeys.

¹³ Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters.

¹⁴ Whoever falsely boasts of gifts [he does not give] is like clouds and wind without rain.^(L)

¹⁵ By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance.^(M)

¹⁶ Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you, lest, being filled with it, you vomit it.

¹⁷ Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house, lest he become tired of you and hate you.

¹⁸ A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a heavy sledgehammer and a sword and a sharp arrow.

¹⁹ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.

²⁰ He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like him who lays off a garment in cold weather and like vinegar upon soda.^(N)

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;^(O)

²² For in doing so, you will ^[c]heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings forth rain; so does a backbiting tongue bring forth an angry countenance.

²⁴ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a disagreeing, quarrelsome, and scolding woman.^(P)

²⁵ Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far [home] country.

²⁶ Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to seek glory, their own glory, causes suffering and is not glory.

²⁸ He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.^(Q)

26 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool.^(R)

² Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight.^(S)

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools.

⁴ Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit.^(T)

⁶ He who sends a message by the hand of a ^[d]fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage.^(U)

⁷ Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.

⁸ Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool.

⁹ Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a [self-confident] fool.

¹⁰ [But] like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by.

¹¹ As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.^(V)

¹³ The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets!^(W)

¹⁴ As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man [move not from his place] upon his bed.

¹⁵ The slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.^(X)

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly.

¹⁷ He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

¹⁸ Like a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking?^(Y)

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife.^(Z)

²² The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature].

²³ Burning lips [uttering insincere words of love] and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver [making it appear to be solid silver].

²⁴ He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself.

²⁵ When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.

²⁶ Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.

²⁷ Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief], it will return upon him.^(AA)

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.