In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.
NIV
Moreover, along with them we are sending our brother, whom we have often put to the test and have found him zealous (devoted and earnest) in many matters, but who is now more [eagerly] earnest than ever because of [his] absolute confidence in you.
AMP
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
KJV
What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
NIV
And more than that, he has been appointed by the churches to travel as our companion in regard to this bountiful contribution which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself and [to show] our eager readiness [as Christians to help one another].
AMP
And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
KJV
Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
NIV
Show to these men, therefore, in the sight of the churches, the reality and plain truth of your love (your affection, goodwill, and benevolence) and what [good reasons] I had for boasting about and being proud of you.
AMP
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
KJV
We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift.
NIV
[For] we are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution.
AMP
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
KJV
For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
NIV
For he not only welcomed and responded to our appeal, but was himself so keen in his enthusiasm and interest in you that he is going to you of his own accord.
AMP
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
KJV
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of others.
NIV
For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.
AMP
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
KJV
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
NIV
For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty [together] have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.
AMP
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
KJV
As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.
NIV
As for Titus, he is my colleague and shares my work in your service; and as for the [other two] brethren, they are the [special] messengers of the churches, a credit and glory to Christ (the Messiah).
AMP
Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
KJV
And they went beyond our expectations; having given themselves first of all to the Lord, they gave themselves by the will of God also to us.
NIV
Nor [was this gift of theirs merely the contribution] that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]--
AMP
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
KJV
