2 Corinthians 9

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

With reference, indeed, to the fund for your fellow Christians, it is quite superfluous for me to say anything to you.

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.

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 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,

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 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.

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 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.

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

Remember the saying – “Scanty sowing, scanty harvest; plentiful sowing, plentiful harvest.”

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 everyone give as he has determined before hand, not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful 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.

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.

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

(As scripture says – “He shared freely, he gave to the poor; his righteousness continues 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 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 you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

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 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 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 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,

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

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 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

All thanks to God for his inestimable gift!