2 Corinthians 9

1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,

As to the services which are being rendered to God's people, it is really unnecessary 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 earnest willingness, on account of which I habitually boast of you to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour.

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,

Still I send the brethren in order that in this matter our boast about you may not turn out to have been an idle one; so that, as I have said, you may be ready;

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.

for fear that, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say you yourselves--should be put to the blush in respect to this confidence.

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.

I have thought it absolutely necessary therefore to request these brethren to visit you before I myself come, and to make sure beforehand that the gift of love which you have already promised may be ready as a gift of love, and may not seem to have been something which I have extorted from you.

6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

But do not forget that he who sows with a niggardly hand will also reap a niggardly crop, and that he who sows bountifully will 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 contribute what he has decided upon in his own mind, and not do it reluctantly or under compulsion. "It is a cheerful giver that God loves."

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 bestow every blessing on you in abundance, so that richly enjoying all sufficiency at all times, you may have ample means for all good works.

9 As it is written, "He has scattered, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." (aiōn g165)

As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his almsgiving remains for ever." (aiōn g165)

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;

And God who continually supplies seed for the sower and bread for eating, will supply you with seed and multiply it, and will cause your almsgiving to yield a plentiful harvest.

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

May you be abundantly enriched so as to show all liberality, such as through our instrumentality brings 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;

For the service rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people, but it is also rich in its results and awakens a chorus of thanksgiving to God.

13 seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Messiah, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;

For, by the practical proof of it which you exhibit in this service, you cause God to be extolled for your fidelity to your professed adherence to the Good News of the Christ, and for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all who are in need,

14 while they themselves also, with petition on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

while they themselves also in supplications on your behalf pour out their longing love towards you because of God's surpassing grace which is resting upon you.

15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.

Thanks be to God for His unspeakably precious gift!