2 Corinthians 9
1 Now concerning the relief intended for 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 your readiness of mind, which I boast of concerning you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath excited 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 But I have sent the brethren, that our boasting of you might not become vain in this respect, but that ye might be ready, as I had said:
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 least if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, we should be ashamed (not to say you also) in this 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 to go first to you, and before our coming to collect your bounty beforementioned, that it may be ready, as of munificence, and not of force.
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 that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Let every one give as he chuses in his own heart; not with reluctance, or constraint: for God loveth a chearful 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 having always all sufficiency in every thing, ye may abound in 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 continueth for ever." (aiōn g165)
As it is written, "He has scattered, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." (aiōn g165)
10 And may He, who supplieth seed to the sower, and giveth bread for food, furnish and multiply your sowing, and increase the fruits of your bounty: )
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 in every thing enriched to all liberality, which produceth through us thanksgiving to God.
you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the ministration of this service not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also, through many thanksgivings, to the glory of 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 from the experience of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and the liberality of your communication 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 in their prayer for you, who long after you because of the transcendent grace of God towards 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 inexpressible gift!
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.
