2 Corinthians 9

1 As to the services which are being rendered to God's people, it is really unnecessary for me to write to you.

Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.

2 For I know your earnest willingness, on account of which I habitually boast of you to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour.

For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.

3 Still I send the brethren in order that in this matter our boast about you may not turn out to have been an idle one; so that, as I have said, you may be ready;

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.

4 for fear that, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say you yourselves--should be put to the blush in respect to this confidence.

Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.

5 I have thought it absolutely necessary therefore to request these brethren to visit you before I myself come, and to make sure beforehand that the gift of love which you have already promised may be ready as a gift of love, and may not seem to have been something which I have extorted from you.

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.

6 But do not forget that he who sows with a niggardly hand will also reap a niggardly crop, and that he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

7 Let each contribute what he has decided upon in his own mind, and not do it reluctantly or under compulsion. "It is a cheerful giver that God loves."

Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to bestow every blessing on you in abundance, so that richly enjoying all sufficiency at all times, you may have ample means for all good works.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

9 As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his almsgiving remains for ever." (aiōn g165)

As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” (aiōn g165)

10 And God who continually supplies seed for the sower and bread for eating, will supply you with seed and multiply it, and will cause your almsgiving to yield a plentiful harvest.

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

11 May you be abundantly enriched so as to show all liberality, such as through our instrumentality brings thanksgiving to God.

You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.

12 For the service rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people, but it is also rich in its results and awakens a chorus of thanksgiving to God.

For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

13 For, by the practical proof of it which you exhibit in this service, you cause God to be extolled for your fidelity to your professed adherence to the Good News of the Christ, and for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all who are in need,

Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.

14 while they themselves also in supplications on your behalf pour out their longing love towards you because of God's surpassing grace which is resting upon you.

And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

15 Thanks be to God for His unspeakably precious gift!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!