Corinthios Ii 9
1 nam de ministerio quod fit in sanctos ex abundanti est mihi scribere vobis
With reference, indeed, to the fund for your fellow Christians, it is quite superfluous for me to say anything to you.
2 scio enim promptum animum vestrum pro quo de vobis glorior apud Macedonas quoniam Achaia parata est ab anno praeterito et vestra aemulatio provocavit plurimos
I know, of course, your willingness to help, and I am always boasting of it to the Macedonians. I tell them that you in Greece have been ready for a year past; and it was really your zeal that stimulated most of them.
3 misi autem fratres ut ne quod gloriamur de vobis evacuetur in hac parte ut quemadmodum dixi parati sitis
So my reason for sending our friends is to prevent what we said about you from proving, in this particular matter, an empty boast, and to enable you to be as well prepared as I have been saying that you are.
4 ne cum venerint mecum Macedones et invenerint vos inparatos erubescamus nos ut non dicamus vos in hac substantia
Otherwise, if any Macedonians were to come with me, and find you unprepared, we – to say nothing of you – should feel ashamed of our present confidence.
5 necessarium ergo existimavi rogare fratres ut praeveniant ad vos et praeparent repromissam benedictionem hanc paratam esse sic quasi benedictionem non quasi avaritiam
Therefore I think it necessary to beg the friends to go to you in advance, and to complete the arrangements for the gift, which you have already promised, so that it may be ready, as a gift, before I come, and not look as if it were being given under pressure.
6 hoc autem qui parce seminat parce et metet et qui seminat in benedictionibus de benedictionibus et metet
Remember the saying – “Scanty sowing, scanty harvest; plentiful sowing, plentiful harvest.”
7 unusquisque prout destinavit corde suo non ex tristitia aut ex necessitate hilarem enim datorem diligit Deus
Let everyone give as he has determined before hand, not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 potens est autem Deus omnem gratiam abundare facere in vobis ut in omnibus semper omnem sufficientiam habentes abundetis in omne opus bonum
God has power to shower all kinds of blessings on you, so that, having, under all circumstances and on all occasions, all that you can need, you may be able to shower all kinds of benefits on others.
(As scripture says – “He shared freely, he gave to the poor; his righteousness continues for ever.” (aiōn g165)
10 qui autem administrat semen seminanti et panem ad manducandum praestabit et multiplicabit semen vestrum et augebit incrementa frugum iustitiae vestrae
And he who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for eating, will supply you with seed, and cause it to increase, and will multiply the fruits of your righteousness).
11 ut in omnibus locupletati abundetis in omnem simplicitatem quae operatur per nos gratiarum actionem Deo
Rich in all things yourselves, you will be able to show liberality to all, which, with our help, will cause thanksgiving to be offered to God.
12 quoniam ministerium huius officii non solum supplet ea quae desunt sanctis sed etiam abundat per multas gratiarum actiones in Domino
For the rendering of a public service such as this, not only relieves the needs of your fellow Christians, but also results in the offering to God of many a thanksgiving.
13 per probationem ministerii huius glorificantes Deum in oboedientia confessionis vestrae in evangelium Christi et simplicitate communicationis in illos et in omnes
Through the evidence afforded by the service rendered, you cause people to praise God for your fidelity to your profession of faith in the good news of the Christ, as well as for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all others.
14 et ipsorum obsecratione pro vobis desiderantium vos propter eminentem gratiam Dei in vobis
And they also, in their prayers for you, express their longing to see you, because of the surpassing love of God displayed toward you.
15 gratias Deo super inenarrabili dono eius
All thanks to God for his inestimable gift!
