2 Corinthians 9

1 Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.

For indeed concerning the ministry which is to the saints, it is superfluous 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 promptitude, of which I am boasting to the Macedonians in your behalf, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has aroused many.

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.

But I sent the brethren, in order that our boasting which is in your behalf may not be in vain in this region; in order that, as I was saying, your were ready:

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.

lest perhaps, if the Macedonians may come with me, and find you unprepared, we may be put to shame, in this confidence, (that we may say not, you).

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.

Therefore I considered it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they may come to you beforehand, and perfect your preannounced benefaction, that it may be ready, as a benefaction, not as a stingy contribution.

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

But it is this, he that soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully.

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.

As each one has predetermined in his heart; not of reluctance, or of constraint: for God loves the hilarious 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.

But God is able to make all grace abound unto you; in order that, always having all sufficiency in every thing, you may abound unto every good work: as has been written,

9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” (aiōn g165)

He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness abides 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.

But he that gives seed to the sower, will also give bread to the eater, and multiply your sowing, and increase the fruits 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.

in every thing being enriched in all purity, which works out through us 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 ministry of this free-will offering is not only supplying the deficiencies of the saints, but also superabounding through much thanksgiving 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.

through the approval of this ministry, glorifying God in the submission of your testimony to the gospel of Christ, and the purity of your fellowship unto them and unto all;

14 And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

and through their prayer in your behalf, earnestly longing to see you on account of the grace of God superabounding unto you.

15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.