< 哥林多後書 9 >
1 真實,關於供應聖徒之事,我給你們寫信原是多餘的,
Now concerning the relief intended for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
for I know your readiness of mind, which I boast of concerning you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath excited many.
3 對這事,我曾向馬其頓人誇耀過你們,說阿哈雅從去年就預備好了,並且你們的慹心曾激勵了很多的人,3. 不過,我打發那幾位弟兄去,好使我們在方面所誇耀於們的,不至於落空,好叫你們正如我所說過的,準備好了,
But I have sent the brethren, that our boasting of you might not become vain in this respect, but that ye might be ready, as I had said:
4 免得萬一馬其頓人與我同去,見你們沒有準備好,使我們在這件事上受到羞辱,那更不要說你們了。
least if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, we should be ashamed (not to say you also) in this confident boasting.
5 所以我認為必須請求那幾位弟兄先到你們那裏,把你們從前所應許過的大量捐助先準備好,齊備的好像是出於大方,而不是出於小氣。
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go first to you, and before our coming to collect your bounty beforementioned, that it may be ready, as of munificence, and not of force.
6 再說:小量撒種的,也要小量收穫;大量播種的,也要大量收穫。
But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
7 每人照心中所酌量的捐助,不要心痛,也不要勉強,因為『天主愛樂捐的人。』
Let every one give as he chuses in his own heart; not with reluctance, or constraint: for God loveth a chearful giver.
8 天主能豐厚地賜與你們各種恩惠,使你們在一切事上常十分充足,能多多行各種善事,
And God is able to make all grace abound towards you; that having always all sufficiency in every thing, ye may abound in every good work:
9 正如經上記載說:『衪博施濟貧,衪的仁義永世常存。』 (aiōn )
(as it is written, "He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor, his righteousness continueth for ever." (aiōn )
10 那供給播種者種子,而又供給食糧作吃食的,必要供給和增多你們的種子,且使你們仁義的出產增加,
And may He, who supplieth seed to the sower, and giveth bread for food, furnish and multiply your sowing, and increase the fruits of your bounty: )
11 叫你們事事富足,以致十分慷慨,致使人因此藉著我們而產生出感謝天主的心情,
being in every thing enriched to all liberality, which produceth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 因為辨這種供應的事,不但補足了聖徒的貧乏,而還可叫許多人多多感謝天主。
For the ministration of this service not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also, through many thanksgivings, to the glory of God.
13 藉著這次供應的證明,他們必要因你們而明認和服從基督的福音,和你們對他們以及眾人的慷慨捐助,而光榮天主;
(While from the experience of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and the liberality of your communication to them, and to all men.)
14 同時,他們也必因天主在你們身上所賜的鴻恩,而為你們祈禱,而響往你們。
And in their prayer for you, who long after you because of the transcendent grace of God towards you.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!