17. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
1. And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
2. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
3. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
4. they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
5. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.
6. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
7. But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
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