1 We want you to know, brothers, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia,
2 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.
3 For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their means, spontaneously,
4 they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones,
5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God,