2 Corinthians 9

1 For indeed, concerning the ministry that [is] for the holy ones, it is superfluous 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 have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared a year ago, and your zeal stirred up the greater part,

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 and I sent the brothers, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made vain in this respect; that, according as I said, you may be ready,

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 lest if Macedonians may come with me, and find you unprepared, we may be put to shame (that we do not say—you) in this same confidence of boasting.

—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 Therefore I thought [it] necessary to exhort the brothers, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness.

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 And [remember] this: he who is sowing sparingly, will also reap sparingly; and he who is sowing in blessings, will also reap in blessings;

Now then, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

7 each one, according as he purposes in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, 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 cause all grace to abound to you, that in everything always having all sufficiency, you may abound to 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 according as it has been written: “He dispersed abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness remains throughout the age,” (aiōn g165)

as it is written: “He has distributed around, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever”— (aiōn g165)

10 and may He who is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits 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 being enriched to all liberality in everything, which works thanksgiving through us to God,

you being enriched in everything so as to always be generous, which passing through us produces thanksgiving to God.

12 because the ministry of this service not only is supplying the wants of the holy ones, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings 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 through the proof of this ministry glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ, and [for] the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all,

—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 by their supplication in your behalf, longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God on you;

and in their prayer for you, longing for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

15 thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!