< 2 Corinthians 9 >
1 For indeed it is superfluous for me to write to you about the service for the sanctified.
There is no need for me to write to you about this ministry of giving to the saints in Jerusalem.
2 For I know your willingness, which I boast about you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was prepared from a year ago. And your zeal provoked the majority.
For I know how eager you are to help, and I keep boasting about you to the Macedonians, saying that Achaia has been prepared to give since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
3 But I sent the brothers so that our boast about you would not be empty in this regard. So that, as I said, ye may be prepared,
But I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter may not prove to be empty, but that you may be prepared, just as I said you would be.
4 if somehow Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared, we (that we might not say, ye) would be embarrassed in this confidence of boast.
Otherwise, if any of the Macedonians were to come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be ashamed of this confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers that they would go ahead to you, and arrange in advance your gift that was earlier announced, for this to be ready this way as a gift and not as an exaction.
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously announced blessing, so that this gift of yours may be ready as a blessing and not as something you feel forced to do.
6 But this, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows in blessings will also reap in blessings.
My point is this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each man as he purposes in his heart, not from regret or from necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Each person should give as he decides in his heart, not with sadness or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to abound all grace for you, so that always in everything having all sufficiency, ye may abound for every good work,
And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance so that you will always have everything you need to abound in every good work.
9 as it is written, He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness endures into the age. (aiōn )
As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (aiōn )
10 And he who supplies seed to the man who sows, and bread for eating, may he supply and multiply your seed, and may he increase the fruits of your righteousness,
Now may he who provides seed to the sower, and bread for food, also multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness!
11 being enriched in everything for every generosity, which works gratitude to God through us.
May you be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us may your generosity produce thanksgiving to God!
12 Because the service of this ministry is not only supplying the needs of the sanctified, but also abounding through many thanksgivings to God
For this ministry of giving is not only providing for the needs of the saints in Jerusalem but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God.
13 through the evidence of this service, glorifying God at the subjection of your confession toward the good news of the Christ, and at the generosity of the participation, for them and for all,
By their approval of this ministry, the saints in Jerusalem will glorify God because of your submission to the gospel of Christ that you confess, and also because of your generous contribution to them and to all.
14 and by their supplication about you, yearning for you because of the transcending grace of God in you.
They will pray for you with deep affection because of the surpassing grace of God that is upon you.
15 And thanks to God for his indescribable gift.
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!