< 2 Corinthians 9 >

1 Now [I want to write] more about the gift [of money] [EUP] that [you and other believers are preparing to send] to the believers [in Judea province]. I do not [really] need to [continue writing to you about it],
It is indeed unnecessary for me to write you in regard to the ministration to the saints at Jerusalem,
2 because I already know that you really want to help them. In fact, I have been boasting [about you], telling the [believers here in] Macedonia [province] that [you people in] Achaia [province] have been ready to help, since last year. As a result, because you are very eager to help [the believers in Judea province], you have made most of [the believers here in Macedonia province also want] to give [a gift].
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 However, I am sending Titus and the other two believers in order that [they will be able to help you finish collecting the money. Then when I and others arrive later, the people with me will see for themselves that] the things that I have been boasting about you are true [LIT]. [I want] you [to have your gift] ready [for us(exc) to take to Jerusalem], just like I have been telling others that you were ready.
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 When I come, if any of [the believers from] Macedonia come with me, [I do not want them to find that your gift is] [MTY, EUP] not ready. If that were [to happen], I would be very ashamed, and you yourselves would be even more ashamed.
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 So that is why I felt that it was necessary to urge these [three] believers to go [and visit] you before I [come. In that way, they would be able to help you finish] collecting the generous gift [EUP] that had been promised by you {you had said you would give}. [If you do that, not only will] the gift be ready [by the time that we arrive, but everyone will see that you have given because you really want to give, and] not because anyone has forced you to give.
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 Do not forget this: “[A farmer] who sows only a few [seeds] will not gather/reap a large [harvest], but the one who sows a lot [of seeds] will gather/reap a large [harvest] [MET].” [Similarly, if you give just a little to help others, God will give you only a few blessings. But if you give willingly and cheerfully to help people, you will receive in return many blessings from God].
Mark this; he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each of you should decide how much you [(sg)] should give, [and then give that amount]. You [(sg)] should not [be thinking to yourself], “[I really] do not want to give this money.” [And you(sg) should] not give [just] because someone tells [you to give. Instead, you should give willingly and cheerfully], because God loves those who give cheerfully.
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 can enable you to [give to others cheerfully. If you give that way], God will [in return] give you many good blessings. He will do that so that at all times you will always have everything that you need. Indeed, you will have even more [than you need. As a result, you will be able to do] many more good things [to help others].
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 [Those who give willingly and cheerfully will be rewarded like the man about whom] it is written {[about whom] (someone/the Psalmist) wrote} in the Scriptures, He generously [helps others], [he gives to those] who are poor. [God will remember] the good things that he did, [and reward him with] good things forever. (aiōn g165)
As it is written. He scattered broadcast, he gave to the poor; His almsgiving continues forever. (aiōn g165)
10 [God always] gives seeds to farmers to plant, and also gives them food to eat. [So, similarly, God will] always make it possible for you to have enough money [MET], so that you will be able more and more to generously [help those who are needy].
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 [God] will [give you] many blessings in many different ways as a result of your generously [helping others]. Furthermore, [the] generous [gift that you are getting ready for] us [(exc) to take to the believers in Judea province] will cause [many people] to thank 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 [Also remember that] when you give money to [EUP] help God’s people, you not only give them what they need, but also, [because of that], [many people will] thank God very much [for you and for what you have done].
Because the ministry of this contribution not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also overflows in many a thanksgiving to God.
13 As a result of your giving [money to help others], they will praise God, not only because you have believed the good message about Christ, but also because you have [generously given some of your possessions] so that they and other [believers will all have] ([enough/their needs supplied]).
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 Also, when they pray for you, [asking God to bless you, they will remember how grateful they are] [IDM] that God [caused you to give] very willingly and cheerfully.
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 [Finally, we should all] thank God [because he gave us the greatest gift of all when he sent his Son to save/rescue us(inc)] ([from the guilt of our sin/from being punished for our sin]). That is a gift too wonderful for anyone to be able to tell about completely!
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!

< 2 Corinthians 9 >