< 2 Corinthians 9 >

1 For concerning the ministry that is done towards the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.
For concerning the ministration which [is] for the saints, it is superfluous my writing to you.
2 For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you to the Macedonians. That Achaia also is ready from the year past, and your emulation hath provoked very many.
For I know your readiness, which I boast of as respects you to Macedonians, that Achaia is prepared since a year ago, and the zeal [reported] of you has stimulated the mass [of the brethren].
3 Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we boast of concerning you, be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:
But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect, in order that, as I have said, ye may be prepared;
4 Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in this matter.
lest haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, that we say not ye, may be put to shame in this confidence.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before, and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.
I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you, and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you.
6 Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings.
But this [is true], he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in [the spirit of] blessing shall reap also in blessing:
7 Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
each according as he is purposed in his heart; not grievingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound in you; that ye always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work,
But God is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you, that, having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work:
9 As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever. (aiōn g165)
according as it is written, He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains for ever. (aiōn g165)
10 And he that ministereth seed to the sower, will both give you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:
Now he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:
11 That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.
enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
12 Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord,
Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God;
13 By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them, and unto all.
they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration, by reason of your subjection, by profession, to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all;
14 And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.
and in their supplication for you, full of ardent desire for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God [which is] upon you.
15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
Thanks [be] to God for his unspeakable free gift.

< 2 Corinthians 9 >