2 Corinthians 9

1 For concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you.

It is indeed unnecessary for me to write you in regard to the ministration to the saints at Jerusalem,

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 how ready you are, and am always boasting about you to the Macedonians, telling them that Greece has been ready for a year past; and your zeal has been a spur to the majority of them.

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;

Nevertheless I am sending the brothers in order that my boast about you may not prove vain in this instance; so that, as I kept saying, you may be prepared.

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.

For if any Macedonians come with me and find you not ready, shame would come upon me (not to speak of you) in respect to this confidence.

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 have thought that I must ask these brothers to visit you beforehand, and get your promised contribution ready in advance. I want it to be given of your bounty, not extorted from your covetousness.

6 But this there is to say: He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.

Mark this; he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 Each one, as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.

But let each give according to the purpose of his heart; not grudgingly of under compulsion. It is a cheerful giver that God loves.

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;

And God is able to give you an overflowing measure of every grace, so that all your wants of every kind may be supplied at all times, and you may give of your abundance 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 scattered broadcast, he gave to the poor; His almsgiving continues 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;

He who ever supplies seed to the sower, and bread for the food of man, will supply and make plentous your seed, and increase the harvest springing up from your almsgiving.

11 while ye are enriched in everything to all liberality, which worketh out through us thanksgiving to God;

You yourselves will be enriched with all good things, that you may give ungrudgingly; and your gifts, of which I am the agent, will make men give thanks 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 ministry of this contribution not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also overflows in many a thanksgiving 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;

For this ministration proves you. On account of it men glorify God for your faithfulness to your professions of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your gifts to them and to all.

14 while with supplication for you they long after you on account of the exceeding grace of God to you.

Moreover, in their prayers for you they will be longing after you, because of the exceeding grace of God that is resting upon you.

15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!