2 Corinthians 9

1 For indeed, concerning the ministry that [is] for the holy ones, it is superfluous for me to write to you,

There is no need for me to write to you about this ministry of giving to the saints in Jerusalem.

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 how eager you are to help, and I keep boasting about you to the Macedonians, saying that Achaia has been prepared to give since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.

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,

But I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter may not prove to be empty, but that you may be prepared, just as I said you would be.

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.

Otherwise, if any of the Macedonians were to come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be ashamed of 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 thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously announced blessing, so that this gift of yours may be ready as a blessing and not as something you feel forced to do.

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;

My point is this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 each one, according as he purposes in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver,

Each person should give as he decides in his heart, not with sadness or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful 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,

And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance so that you will always have everything you need to abound in 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 freely, 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,

Now may he who provides seed to the sower, and bread for food, also multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness!

11 being enriched to all liberality in everything, which works thanksgiving through us to God,

May you be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us may your generosity produce 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,

For this ministry of giving is not only providing for the needs of the saints in Jerusalem but is also abounding through 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,

By their approval of this ministry, the saints in Jerusalem will glorify God because of your submission to the gospel of Christ that you confess, and also because of your generous contribution to them and to all.

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

They will pray for you with deep affection because of the surpassing grace of God that is upon you.

15 thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!