2 Corinthians 9

1 For concerning the ministering to the saints, 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 know your readiness of mind, of which I boast in behalf of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was prepared a year ago; and your zeal stirred up the greater part of them.

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 But I sent the brethren, that our boasting of you should not prove unfounded in this respect; that, as I said, ye may be prepared;

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, should the Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be put to shame in respect to this confidence.

—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 I thought it necessary therefore to exhort the brethren to go before to you, and make up beforehand your bounty, which was already announced, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of 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 But this there is to say: He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.

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

7 Each one, as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth 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 make every blessing abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in everything, 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 as it is written: “He dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever.” (aiōn g165)

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

10 Now, he that ministereth seed to the sower, and bread for food, will 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 while ye are enriched in everything to all liberality, which worketh out through us thanksgiving to God;

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

12 for the ministration of this service not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but also overfloweth 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 while by the proof afforded by this ministration they glorify God for your obedience to your profession in regard to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution in regard to them and in regard 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 while with supplication for you they long after you on account of the exceeding grace of God to you.

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

15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!