2 Corinthians 9

1 For, indeed, concerning the ministration that [is] 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 have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia hath been prepared a year ago, and the zeal of you did stir up the more part,

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 and I sent the brethren, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made vain in this respect; that, according 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 if Macedonians may come with me, and find you unprepared, we — we may be put to shame (that we say not — ye) in this same confidence of 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 Necessary, therefore, I thought [it] to exhort the brethren, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as 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 And this: He who is sowing sparingly, sparingly also shall reap; and he who is sowing in blessings, in blessings also shall reap;

Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 each one, according as he doth purpose in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for a cheerful giver doth God love,

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 all grace to cause to abound to you, that in every thing always all sufficiency having, ye 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 (according as it hath been written, 'He dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness doth remain to the age,') (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 is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply 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 in every thing being enriched to all liberality, which doth work through us thanksgiving to God,

you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.

12 because the ministration of this service not only is supplying the wants of the saints, but is also abounding through 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 through the proof of this ministration glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ, and [for] the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all,

seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;

14 and by their supplication in your behalf, longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God upon 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 also to God for His unspeakable gift!

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.