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Acts 20

Amplified Bible, 2015 (AMP)

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¹ For it is not [intended] that others be relieved [of their responsibility] and that you be[1] burdened [unfairly], but[2] that there be equality [in sharing the burden]—

² at this present time your surplus [over necessities] is going to supply their need, so that [at some other time] their surplus may be given to supply your need, that there may be equality;

³ as it is written [in Scripture], "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not lack."

⁴ But thanks be to God who puts the same genuine concern for you in the heart of Titus.

⁵ For Titus not only accepted our appeal, but was so very interested in you that he has gone to visit you of his own accord.

⁶ And we have sent along with him the[3] brother who is praised in the gospel [ministry] throughout all the churches;

⁷ and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in regard to this gracious offering which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our eagerness [as believers to help one another].

⁸ We are taking precaution so that no one will [find anything with which to] discredit us in our administration of this generous gift.

⁹ For we have regard for what is honorable [and above suspicion], not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

¹⁰ We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found to be diligent in many things, but who is now even more diligent [than ever] because of his great confidence in you.

¹¹ As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and as for the [other two] brothers, they are [special][4] messengers of the churches, a glory and credit to Christ.

¹² Therefore, show these men, in the sight of the churches, the proof of your love and our reason for being proud of you.

¹³ Now it is unnecessary for me to write to you about the offering [that is to be made] for the saints [in Jerusalem];

¹⁴ for I know your eagerness [to promote this cause], and I have [proudly] boasted to the people of Macedonia about it, telling them that[1] Achaia has been prepared since last year [for this contribution], and your enthusiasm has inspired the majority of them [to respond].

¹⁵ Still, I am sending the brothers [on to you], so that our pride in you may not be an empty boast in this case, and so that you may be prepared, just as I told them you would be;

¹⁶ otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of yourselves—will be humiliated for being so confident.

¹⁷ That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you [before I come] and make arrangements in advance for this generous, previously promised gift of yours, so that it would be ready, not as something extorted [or wrung out of you], but as a [voluntary and] generous gift.

¹⁸ Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows[2] generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap[3] generously [and be blessed].

¹⁹ Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].

²⁰ And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.

²¹ As it is written and forever remains written, "He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever!"

²² Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love].

²³ You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit].

²⁴ For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God's people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

²⁵ Because of this act of ministry,[4] they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need],

²⁶ and they also long for you while they pray on your behalf, because of the surpassing measure of God's grace [His undeserved favor, mercy, and blessing which is revealed] in you.

²⁷ Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!

²⁸ Now I, Paul, urge you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am meek [so they say] when with you face to face, but bold [outspoken and fearless] toward you when absent!

²⁹ I ask that when I do come I will not be driven to the boldness that I intend to show toward those few who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh [like men without the Spirit].

³⁰ For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.

³¹ The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

³² We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,

³³ being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete.

³⁴ You are looking [only] at the outward appearance of things. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, he should reflect and consider this, that just as he is Christ's, so too are we.

³⁵ For even though I boast rather freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed [of the truth],

³⁶ nor do I want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters;

³⁷ for they say, "His letters are weighty and forceful and impressive, but his[1] personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible [of no account]."

³⁸ Let such people realize that what we say by word in letters when we are absent, is the same as what we are in action when present.

#	AMP
1	For it is not [intended] that others be relieved [of their responsibility] and that you be[1] burdened [unfairly], but[2] that there be equality [in sharing the burden]—
2	at this present time your surplus [over necessities] is going to supply their need, so that [at some other time] their surplus may be given to supply your need, that there may be equality;
3	as it is written [in Scripture], "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not lack."
4	But thanks be to God who puts the same genuine concern for you in the heart of Titus.
5	For Titus not only accepted our appeal, but was so very interested in you that he has gone to visit you of his own accord.
6	And we have sent along with him the[3] brother who is praised in the gospel [ministry] throughout all the churches;
7	and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in regard to this gracious offering which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our eagerness [as believers to help one another].
8	We are taking precaution so that no one will [find anything with which to] discredit us in our administration of this generous gift.
9	For we have regard for what is honorable [and above suspicion], not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
10	We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found to be diligent in many things, but who is now even more diligent [than ever] because of his great confidence in you.
11	As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and as for the [other two] brothers, they are [special][4] messengers of the churches, a glory and credit to Christ.
12	Therefore, show these men, in the sight of the churches, the proof of your love and our reason for being proud of you.
13	Now it is unnecessary for me to write to you about the offering [that is to be made] for the saints [in Jerusalem];
14	for I know your eagerness [to promote this cause], and I have [proudly] boasted to the people of Macedonia about it, telling them that[1] Achaia has been prepared since last year [for this contribution], and your enthusiasm has inspired the majority of them [to respond].
15	Still, I am sending the brothers [on to you], so that our pride in you may not be an empty boast in this case, and so that you may be prepared, just as I told them you would be;
16	otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of yourselves—will be humiliated for being so confident.
17	That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you [before I come] and make arrangements in advance for this generous, previously promised gift of yours, so that it would be ready, not as something extorted [or wrung out of you], but as a [voluntary and] generous gift.
18	Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows[2] generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap[3] generously [and be blessed].
19	Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].
20	And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.
21	As it is written and forever remains written, "He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever!"
22	Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love].
23	You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit].
24	For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God's people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
25	Because of this act of ministry,[4] they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need],
26	and they also long for you while they pray on your behalf, because of the surpassing measure of God's grace [His undeserved favor, mercy, and blessing which is revealed] in you.
27	Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!
28	Now I, Paul, urge you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am meek [so they say] when with you face to face, but bold [outspoken and fearless] toward you when absent!
29	I ask that when I do come I will not be driven to the boldness that I intend to show toward those few who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh [like men without the Spirit].
30	For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.
31	The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
32	We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,
33	being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete.
34	You are looking [only] at the outward appearance of things. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, he should reflect and consider this, that just as he is Christ's, so too are we.
35	For even though I boast rather freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed [of the truth],
36	nor do I want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters;
37	for they say, "His letters are weighty and forceful and impressive, but his[1] personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible [of no account]."
38	Let such people realize that what we say by word in letters when we are absent, is the same as what we are in action when present.

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