2 Corinthians 9
1 Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you;
2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
for I know your readiness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your zeal has stirred up the majority.
3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
Still, I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter not prove to be empty, so that you may be ready, like I said
4 Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
—if any Macedonians were to go with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention, you!) would be put to shame by this confident boasting.
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go to you in advance and finish preparing the ‘blessing’ you had promised, that it be ready, representing generosity and not stinginess.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Now then, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Each one should give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a glad giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Further, God is able to make all ‘grace’ abound toward you, that always having all sufficiency in everything you may abound to every good work—
9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” (aiōn g165)
as it is written: “He has distributed around, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever”— (aiōn g165)
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
yes, the One who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, so as to supply and multiply your seed for sowing and to increase the yield of your righteousness;
11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.
you being enriched in everything so as to always be generous, which passing through us produces thanksgiving to God.
12 For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
Because the administration of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God
13 Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
—on the basis of the proof that this service gives, they are glorifying God for the obedience of your confession into the Gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your sharing with them and everybody—
14 And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
and in their prayer for you, longing for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
