II Corinthians 8

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

Men vi kundgøre eder, Brødre! den Guds Nåde, som er given i Makedoniens Menigheder,

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

at under megen Trængsels Prøvelse har deres overstrømmende Glæde og deres dybe Fattigdom strømmet over i deres Gavmildheds Rigdom.

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Thi efter Evne (det vidner jeg) gave de, ja, over Evne af egen Drift,

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

idet de med megen Overtalelse bade os om den Nåde at måtte tage Del i Hjælpen til de hellige,

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

og ikke alene som vi havde håbet, men sig selv gav de først og fremmest til Herren og så til os, ved Guds Villie,

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

så at vi opfordrede Titus til, ligesom han forhen havde begyndt, således også til at tilendebringe hos eder også denne Gave.

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

Men ligesom I ere rige i alt, i Tro og Tale og Erkendelse og al Iver og i eders Kærlighed til os: måtte I da være rige også i denne Gave!

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

Jeg siger det ikke som en Befaling, men for ved andres Iver at prøve også eders Kærligheds Ægthed.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

I kende jo vor Herres Jesu Kristi Nåde, at han for eders Skyld blev fattig, da han var rig, for at I ved hans Fattigdom skulde blive rige.

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Og jeg giver min Mening herom til Kende; thi dette er eder gavnligt, I, som jo i Fjor vare de første til at begynde, ikke alene med Gerningen, men endogså med Villien dertil.

Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

Men fuldbringer da nu også Gerningen, for at, ligesom I vare redebonne til at ville, I også må fuldbringe det efter eders Evne.

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

Thi når Redebonheden er til Stede, da er den velbehagelig efter, hvad den evner, ikke efter, hvad den ikke evner.

For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

Det er nemlig ikke Meningen, at andre skulle have Lettelse og I Trængsel; nej, det skal være ligeligt. Nu for Tiden må eders Overflod komme hines Trang til Hjælp,

But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

for at også hines Overflod kan komme eders Trang til Hjælp, for at der kan blive Ligelighed,

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

som der er skrevet: "Den, som sankede meget, fik ikke for meget, og den, som sankede lidet, fik ikke for lidt."

But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

Men Gud ske Tak, som giver den samme Iver for eder i Titus's Hjerte!

For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

Thi vel har han modtaget min Opfordring; men da han er så ivrig, så er det af egen Drift, at han rejser til eder.

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

Og sammen med ham sende vi den Broder, hvis Ros i Evangeliet går igennem alle Menighederne,

And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

og ikke det alene, men han er også udvalgt af Menighederne til at rejse med os med denne Gave, som besørges af os, for at fremme selve Herrens Ære og vor Redebonhed,

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

idet vi undgå dette, at nogen skulde kunne laste os i Anledning af denne rige Hjælp, som besørges af os;

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

thi vi lægge Vind på, hvad der er godt ikke alene i Herrens, men også i Menneskers Øjne.

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

Men sammen med dem sende vi vor Broder, hvis Iver vi ofte i mange Måder have prøvet, men som nu er langt ivrigere på Grund af sin støre Tillid til eder.

Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

Hvad Titus angår, da er han min Fælle og Medarbejder hos eder, og hvad vore Brødre angår, da ere de Menighedsudsendinge, Kristi Ære.

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Så giver dem da for Menighedernes Åsyn Beviset på eders Kærlighed og for det, vi have rost eder for.