2 Corinthians 9

1 For as touching 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 which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many 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 have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even 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 by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in 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 entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

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 [I 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 [Let] each man [do] according as he hath purposed in his heart; 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 all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto 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 hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth 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 And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, 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 ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh 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 filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto 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 seeing that through the proving [of you] by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of [your] contribution unto them and unto 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 they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in 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!