2 Corinthians 9

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

There is no need for me to write to you about this ministry of giving to the saints in Jerusalem.

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 know how eager you are to help, and I keep boasting about you to the Macedonians, saying that Achaia has been prepared to give since last year; and your zeal has stirred up 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,

But I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter may not prove to be empty, but that you may be prepared, just as I said you would be.

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 of the Macedonians were to come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be ashamed of this confident boasting.

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 I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously announced blessing, so that this gift of yours may be ready as a blessing and not as something you feel forced to do.

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

My point is this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

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

Each person should give as he decides in his heart, not with sadness 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.

And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance so that you will always have everything you need to abound in 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 written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (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,

Now may he who provides seed to the sower, and bread for food, also multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness!

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

May you be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us may your generosity produce thanksgiving 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 this ministry of giving is not only providing for the needs of the saints in Jerusalem but is also abounding through many thanksgivings 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,

By their approval of this ministry, the saints in Jerusalem will glorify God because of your submission to the gospel of Christ that you confess, and also because of your generous contribution 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.

They will pray for you with deep affection because of the surpassing grace of God that is upon you.

15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!