¹马其顿圣徒乐捐的榜样

¹And we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

²他们在患难中受到极大的考验的时候，他们满溢的喜乐和极度的贫乏，汇流出丰厚的慷慨来。

²because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality;

³我可以作证，他们是按着能力，并且是超过了能力，

³because, according to [their] power, I testify, and above [their] power, they were willing of themselves,

⁴自动地再三恳求我们，准许他们在供应圣徒的事上有分。

⁴with much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints,

⁵他们超过了我们所期望的，照着　神的旨意，先把自己献给主，然后献给我们。

⁵and not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first to the Lord, and to us, through the will of God,

⁶因此，我们勉励提多，既然开始了这慈善的事，就应当在你们那里把这事办好。

⁶so that we exhorted Titus, that, according as he did begin before, so also he may finish to you also this favour,

⁷你们在一切事上，就如信心、口才、知识、热情和爱我们的心，既然都是富足的，那么，在这慈善的事上，也要显出你们是富足的。

⁷but even as in every thing ye do abound, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, that also in this grace ye may abound;

⁸劝信徒完成慈善的事我这样说，不是吩咐你们，而是借着别人的热心来考验你们的爱心是否真实。

⁸not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,

⁹你们是知道我们的主耶稣基督的恩典的：他本来富足，却为你们成了贫穷，要使你们因他的贫穷成为富足。

⁹for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you he became poor — being rich, that ye by that poverty may become rich.

¹⁰我在这里表示我的意见，这对你们是有益的：你们不仅一年前就在办这事，而且早就想这样作了，

¹⁰and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you [is] expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before — a year ago,

¹¹现在就应当把这事办好；这样，你们既然有愿意作的心，因着你们尽了自己所能的，就可以完成。

¹¹and now also finish doing [it], that even as [there is] the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have,

¹²因为人要是有愿意作的心，按照他所有的，必蒙悦纳，不是按照他所没有的。

¹²for if the willing mind is present, according to that which any one may have it is well-accepted, not according to that which he hath not;

¹³这不是要别人轻省，你们受累，而是要大家都均等。

¹³for not that for others release, and ye pressured, [do I speak,]

¹⁴现在你们富裕，就要补助他们的缺乏，到了他们富裕的时候，也可以补助你们的缺乏，这样就均等了；

¹⁴but by equality, at the present time your abundance — for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may be equality,

¹⁵正如经上所记：“多的，没有剩余，少的，也不缺乏。”

¹⁵according as it hath been written, `He who [did gather] much, had nothing over; and he who [did gather] little, had no lack.`

¹⁶感谢　神，他把我对你们那样的热情，放在提多的心里。

¹⁶And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,

¹⁷提多一方面接受了劝勉，但他自己更加热心，自愿到你们那里去。

¹⁷because indeed the exhortation he accepted, and being more diligent, of his own accord he went forth unto you,

¹⁸我们还派了一位弟兄和他同去，（这人在福音的事工上，得到了众教会的称赞。

¹⁸and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news [is] through all the assemblies,

¹⁹不但这样，众教会更选派了他作我们的旅伴。我们办理这慈善的事，是为了主的荣耀，也是为了我们的心愿。）

¹⁹and not only so, but who was also appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveller, with this favour that is ministered by us, unto the glory of the same Lord, and your willing mind;

²⁰免得有人因为我们经管的捐款太多，就毁谤我们。

²⁰avoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,

²¹因为我们努力去作的，不仅是主认为是美的事，也是众人认为是美的事。

²¹providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before men;

²²我们还派了另一位弟兄与他们同去；我们在许多的事上多次考验过他，知道他很热心；现在他对你们大有信心，就更加热心了。

²²and we sent with them our brother, whom we proved in many things many times being diligent, and now much more diligent, by the great confidence that is toward you,

²³至于提多，他是我的同伴，为你们的缘故作了我的同工；还有我们那两位弟兄，他们是众教会所派的，是基督的荣耀。

²³whether — about Titus — my partner and towards you fellow-worker, whether — our brethren, apostles of assemblies — glory of Christ;

²⁴所以，你们要在众教会面前，向他们证明你们的爱心和我们所夸耀你们的。

²⁴the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.