< 2 Corinthians 9 >
1 For as concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath incited very many.
for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confidence.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before to you, and make up before hand your bounty, of which ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not [of] covetousness.
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
6 But this [I say], He who soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he who soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.
Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or by constraint: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Each person should give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound towards you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. (aiōn )
As it is written, "He has scattered, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." (aiōn )
10 Now may he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; )
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings to God;
For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God;
13 While by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution to them, and to all [men];
seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Meshikha, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;
14 And by their prayer for you, who long after you, for the exceeding grace of God in you.
while they themselves also, with petition on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks [be] to God for his unspeakable gift.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.