< コリント人への手紙第二 9 >
1 聖徒に施すことに就きては汝らに書きおくるに及ばず、
It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
2 我なんぢらの志望あるを知ればなり。その志望につき汝らの事をマケドニヤ人に誇りて、アカヤは既に一年 前に準備をなせりと云へり。かくて汝らの熱心は多くの人を勵ましたり。
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 されどわれ兄弟たちを遣すは、我が言ひしごとく汝らに準備をなさしめ、之につきて我らの誇りし事の空しくならざらん爲なり。
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 もしマケドニヤ人われと共に來りて汝らの準備なきを見ば、汝らは言ふに及ばず、我らも確信せしによりて恐らくは恥を受けん。
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 この故に兄弟たちを勸めて、先づ汝らに往かしめ、曩に汝らが約束したる慈惠を、吝むが如くせずして、惠む心よりせん爲に預じめ調へしむるは、必要のことと思へり。
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 それ少く播く者は少く刈り、多く播く者は多く刈るべし。
Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 おのおの吝むことなく、強ひてすることなく、その心に定めし如くせよ。神は喜びて與ふる人を愛し給へばなり。
Each person should give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 神は汝 等をして常に凡ての物に足らざることなく、凡ての善き業に溢れしめんために、凡ての恩惠を溢るるばかり與ふることを得給ふなり。
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 録して『彼は散して貧しき者に與へたり。その正義は永遠に存らん』とある如し。 (aiōn )
As it is written, "He has scattered, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." (aiōn )
10 播く人に種と食するパンとを與ふる者は、汝らにも種をあたへ、且これを殖し、また汝らの義の果を増し給ふべし。
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 汝らは一切に富みて吝みなく施すことを得、かくて我らの事により、人々 神に感謝するに至るなり。
you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
12 此の施濟の務は、ただに聖徒の窮乏を補ふのみならず、充ち溢れて神に對する感謝を多からしむ。
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 即ち彼らは此の務を證據として、汝らがキリストの福音に對する言明に順ふことと、彼らにも凡ての人にも吝みなく施すこととに就きて、神に榮光を歸し、
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 かつ神の汝らに給ひし優れたる恩惠により、汝らを慕ひて汝 等のために祈らん。
while they themselves also, with petition on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.