2 Corinthians 9
1 I really don't need to write to you about this offering for God's people.
For as touching the ministring to the Saints, it is superfluous for me to write vnto you.
2 I know how keen you are to help—I was boasting about this to those in Macedonia that you in Achaia have been ready for over a year, and your enthusiasm has encouraged many of them to give.
For I knowe your readinesse of minde, whereof I boast my selfe of you vnto them of Macedonia, and say, that Achaia was prepared a yeere agoe, and your zeale hath prouoked many.
3 But I'm sending these brothers so that my boasting about you regarding this won't be proved wrong, and that you're prepared, just as I said you would be.
Nowe haue I sent the brethren, lest our reioycing ouer you shoulde bee in vaine in this behalfe, that yee (as I haue sayde) be readie:
4 This is just in case some Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared. We, not to mention you, would be really embarrassed if this project failed!
Lest if they of Macedonia come with me, and finde you vnprepared, we (that wee may not say, you) should be ashamed in this my constant boasting.
5 That's why I decided I should ask these brothers to visit you in advance, and complete the arrangements to collect this offering, so that it would be ready as a gift, and not as something demanded.
Wherefore, I thought it necessarie to exhort the brethren to come before vnto you, and to finish your beneuolence appointed afore, that it might be readie, and come as of beneuolence, and not as of niggardlinesse.
6 I want to remind you of this: If you only sow a little, you'll only reap a little; if you sow plenty, you'll reap plenty.
This yet remember, that he which soweth sparingly, shall reape also sparingly, and hee that soweth liberally, shall reape also liberally.
7 Everybody should give as they've already decided—not reluctantly, or because they have to, for God loves those who give with a cheerful spirit.
As euery man wisheth in his heart, so let him giue, not grudgingly, or of necessitie: for God loueth a cheerefull giuer.
8 God is able to graciously provide you with everything, so that you will always have all you need—with plenty to help others too.
And God is able to make all grace to abound towarde you, that yee alwayes hauing all sufficiencie in all thinges, may abounde in euery good worke,
(As it is written, He hath sparsed abroad and hath giuen to the poore: his beneuolence remayneth for euer. (aiōn g165)
10 God, who provides seed to the sower and gives bread for food, will provide and multiply your “seed” and increase your harvest of generosity.
Also hee that findeth seede to the sower, will minister likewise bread for foode, and multiplie your seede, and increase the fruites of your beneuolence, )
11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can always be very generous, and your generosity will lead others to be grateful to God.
That on all partes yee may bee made rich vnto all liberalitie, which causeth through vs thankesgiuing vnto God.
12 When you serve in this way, not only are the needs of God's people met, but also many will give grateful thanks to God.
For the ministration of this seruice not onely supplieth the necessities of the Saintes, but also aboundantly causeth many to giue thankes to God,
13 By giving this offering you show your true nature, and those who receive it will thank God for your obedience, since it shows your commitment to the good news of Christ and your generosity in giving to them and everyone else.
(Which by the experiment of this ministration praise God for your voluntarie submission to the Gospell of Christ, and for your liberall distribution to them, and to all men)
14 They will pray for you with much fondness because of God's abundant grace working through you.
And in their praier for you, to log after you greatly, for the aboundant grace of God in you.
15 Thank God for his gift that is far greater than words can express!
Thankes therefore bee vnto God for his vnspeakeable gift.
