First Reading

We want you to know, brothers and sisters, of the grace of God

that has been given to the churches of Macedonia,

for in a severe test of affliction,

the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty

overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

For according to their means, I can testify,

and beyond their means, spontaneously,

they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part

in the service to the holy ones,

and this, not as we expected,

but they gave themselves first to the Lord

and to us through the will of God,

so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun,

he should also complete for you this gracious act also.

Now as you excel in every respect,

in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness,

and in the love we have for you,

may you excel in this gracious act also.

I say this not by way of command,

but to test the genuineness of your love

by your concern for others.

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that for your sake he became poor although he was rich,

so that by his poverty you might become rich.