< 2 Corinthians 9 >
1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
For of the relief which is for the saints, it is needless for me to write to you.
2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
For I know your readiness of mind, on account of which I boasted of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago: and your zeal has incited very many.
3 But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
But I have sent the brethren, that our boasting of you in this respect may not be in vain; that you may be ready, as I said:
4 so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confidence.
lest, possibly, should the Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say you) might be made ashamed by this same confident boasting.
5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go before to you, and make ready beforehand your bounty, which has been so much talked of before, that this might be ready as a bounty, and not as a gift extorted from you.
6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
But remember this, that he who sows sparingly, shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully, shall also reap bountifully.
7 Each person should give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Let each one give, as he purposes in his heart; not with grief, nor from necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
And God is able to confer every gift upon you abundantly, that you, always having all sufficiency in every thing, may have enough for every good work;
9 As it is written, "He has scattered, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." (aiōn )
as it is written: He has scattered abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever. (aiōn )
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
Now, he that furnishes seed to the sower will both furnish bread for food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
11 you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
that you may be enriched in every thing, for all liberality which produces through us thanksgiving to God;
12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God;
because the administration of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints, but also abounds in many thanksgivings to God;
13 seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;
(since through the proof which this service gives, they glorify God for your acknowledged subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution for them, and for all; )
14 while they themselves also, with petition on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
and in their prayer for you, since they have strong affection for you on account of the eminent grace of God that is in you.
15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.
Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.