2 Corinthians 9

1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

As to the services which are being rendered to God's people, it is really unnecessary for me to write to you.

2 for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.

For I know your earnest willingness, on account of which I habitually boast of you to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour.

3 But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared:

Still I send the brethren in order that in this matter our boast about you may not turn out to have been an idle one; so that, as I have said, you may be ready;

4 lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.

for fear that, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say you yourselves--should be put to the blush in respect to this confidence.

5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

I have thought it absolutely necessary therefore to request these brethren to visit you before I myself come, and to make sure beforehand that the gift of love which you have already promised may be ready as a gift of love, and may not seem to have been something which I have extorted from you.

6 But this [I say], He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

But do not forget that he who sows with a niggardly hand will also reap a niggardly crop, and that he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 [Let] each man [do] according as he hath purposed in his heart; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Let each contribute what he has decided upon in his own mind, and not do it reluctantly or under compulsion. "It is a cheerful giver that God loves."

8 And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:

And God is able to bestow every blessing on you in abundance, so that richly enjoying all sufficiency at all times, you may have ample means for all good works.

9 as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever. (aiōn g165)

As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his almsgiving remains for ever." (aiōn g165)

10 And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

And God who continually supplies seed for the sower and bread for eating, will supply you with seed and multiply it, and will cause your almsgiving to yield a plentiful harvest.

11 ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

May you be abundantly enriched so as to show all liberality, such as through our instrumentality brings thanksgiving to God.

12 For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;

For the service rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people, but it is also rich in its results and awakens a chorus of thanksgiving to God.

13 seeing that through the proving [of you] by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of [your] contribution unto them and unto all;

For, by the practical proof of it which you exhibit in this service, you cause God to be extolled for your fidelity to your professed adherence to the Good News of the Christ, and for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all who are in need,

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

while they themselves also in supplications on your behalf pour out their longing love towards you because of God's surpassing grace which is resting upon you.

15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Thanks be to God for His unspeakably precious gift!