2 Corinthians 9

1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,

But there is no need for me to say anything in my letter about the giving to the saints:

2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.

For I have before made clear to those of Macedonia my pride in your ready mind, saying to them that Achaia has been ready for a year back; and a great number have been moved to do the same by your example.

3 But I have sent the brothers so that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,

But I have sent the brothers, so that the good things we said about you may be seen to be true, and that, as I said, you may be ready:

4 lest by any means, if anyone from Macedonia comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) would be disappointed in this confident boasting.

For fear that, if any from Macedonia come with me, and you are not ready, we (not to say, you) might be put to shame in this thing.

5 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.

So it seemed to me wise for the brothers to go before, and see that the amount which you had undertaken to give was ready, so that it might be a cause for praise, and not as if we were making profit out of you.

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

But in the Writings it says, He who puts in only a small number of seeds, will get in the same; and he who puts them in from a full hand, will have produce in full measure from them.

7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Let every man do after the purpose of his heart; not giving with grief, or by force: for God takes pleasure in a ready giver.

8 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.

And God is able to give you all grace in full measure; so that ever having enough of all things, you may be full of every good work:

9 As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.” (aiōn g165)

As it is said in the Writings, He has sent out far and wide, he has given to the poor; his righteousness is for ever. (aiōn g165)

10 Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

And he who gives seed for putting into the field and bread for food, will take care of the growth of your seed, at the same time increasing the fruits of your righteousness;

11 you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

Your wealth being increased in everything, with a simple mind, causing praise to God through us.

12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God,

For this work of giving not only takes care of the needs of the saints, but is the cause of much praise to God;

13 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 generosity of your contribution to them and to all,

For when, through this work of giving, they see what you are, they give glory to God for the way in which you have given yourselves to the good news of Christ, and for the wealth of your giving to them and to all;

14 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

While their hearts go out to you in love and in prayer for you, because of the great grace of God which is in you.

15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

Praise be to God for what he has given, which words have no power to say.