2 Corinthians 9

1 For, indeed, concerning the ministry which is for the saints, it is, superfluous for me, to be writing 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 forwardness of mind—of which, in your behalf, I am boasting unto Macedonians, that, Achaia, hath been prepared for a year past, —and, your zeal, hath stirred up the greater number 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 Nevertheless I have sent the brethren, that, our boast in your behalf, be not made void, in this respect, that, even as I was saying, 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 by any means, if there should come with me Macedonians, and find you unprepared, we, —not to say, ye, —should be put to shame in 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 Necessary, therefore, I regarded it, to exhort the brethren that they would go forward unto you, and make up beforehand your previously- promised blessing. The same, to be ready—thus, as a blessing, and not as of constraint.

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 As to this, however, he that soweth sparingly, sparingly, also shall reap, and, he that soweth with blessings, with blessings, also shall reap:

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

7 Each one, according as he hath purposed in his heart, not sorrowfully, nor of necessity, —for, a cheerful giver, God, loveth.

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 Moreover God is able to cause, every gracious gift, to superabound unto you, in order that, having in every thing, at every time, every kind of sufficiency of your own, ye may be superabounding unto 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 Even as it is written—He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the needy, —his righteousness, abideth to futurity. (aiōn g165)

As it is written. He scattered broadcast, he gave to the poor; His almsgiving continues forever. (aiōn g165)

10 Now, he that supplieth seed to the sower, and bread for eating, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and cause to grow your fruits of 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 In every thing, being enriched, unto every kind of liberality, —which, indeed, worketh out, through us, thanksgiving unto 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 Because, the ministry of this public service, is not only towards filling up the deficiencies of the saints, but also superabounding, through the thanksgiving of many, unto 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 [Of many] who, through the proof of this ministry, are glorifying God for your acknowledged submission unto the glad-message of the Christ, and for the liberality of the fellowship, unto them, and unto 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 Themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, longing after you, by reason of the surpassing favour of God [resting] upon 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 unto God, for his unspeakable bounty!

THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!