1 Our brothers and sisters, we want you to know what God's grace has accomplished in the churches in Macedonia.
2 They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor.
3 I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will
4 they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God's people in Judea.
5 It was more than we could have hoped for! First they gave themselves to the Lord; and then, by God's will they gave themselves to us as well.