2 Corinthians 9

1 Now [I want to write] more about the gift [of money] [EUP] that [you and other believers are preparing to send] to the believers [in Judea province]. I do not [really] need to [continue writing to you about it],

Now, concerning the ministry that is done toward the saints, it is not necessary for me to write to you.

2 because I already know that you really want to help them. In fact, I have been boasting [about you], telling the [believers here in] Macedonia [province] that [you people in] Achaia [province] have been ready to help, since last year. As a result, because you are very eager to help [the believers in Judea province], you have made most of [the believers here in Macedonia province also want] to give [a gift].

For I know your willing mind. I glory about you, concerning this, to the Macedonians. For Achaia has also been prepared, for the past year. And your example has inspired very many others.

3 However, I am sending Titus and the other two believers in order that [they will be able to help you finish collecting the money. Then when I and others arrive later, the people with me will see for themselves that] the things that I have been boasting about you are true [LIT]. [I want] you [to have your gift] ready [for us(exc) to take to Jerusalem], just like I have been telling others that you were ready.

Now I have sent the brothers, so that what we glory about concerning you might not be empty in this matter, in order that (as I have explained) you may be prepared.

4 When I come, if any of [the believers from] Macedonia come with me, [I do not want them to find that your gift is] [MTY, EUP] not ready. If that were [to happen], I would be very ashamed, and you yourselves would be even more ashamed.

Otherwise, if the Macedonians arrive with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be ashamed in this matter.

5 So that is why I felt that it was necessary to urge these [three] believers to go [and visit] you before I [come. In that way, they would be able to help you finish] collecting the generous gift [EUP] that had been promised by you {you had said you would give}. [If you do that, not only will] the gift be ready [by the time that we arrive, but everyone will see that you have given because you really want to give, and] not because anyone has forced you to give.

Therefore, I considered it necessary to ask the brothers to go to you in advance and to prepare this blessing as promised, and in this way, you may be ready as a blessing, not as an excess.

6 Do not forget this: “[A farmer] who sows only a few [seeds] will not gather/reap a large [harvest], but the one who sows a lot [of seeds] will gather/reap a large [harvest] [MET].” [Similarly, if you give just a little to help others, God will give you only a few blessings. But if you give willingly and cheerfully to help people, you will receive in return many blessings from God].

But I say this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And whoever sows with blessings shall also reap from blessings:

7 Each of you should decide how much you [(sg)] should give, [and then give that amount]. You [(sg)] should not [be thinking to yourself], “[I really] do not want to give this money.” [And you(sg) should] not give [just] because someone tells [you to give. Instead, you should give willingly and cheerfully], because God loves those who give cheerfully.

each one giving, just as he has determined in his heart, neither out of sadness, nor out of obligation. For God loves a cheerful giver.

8 Moreover, God can enable you to [give to others cheerfully. If you give that way], God will [in return] give you many good blessings. He will do that so that at all times you will always have everything that you need. Indeed, you will have even more [than you need. As a result, you will be able to do] many more good things [to help others].

And God is able to make every grace abound in you, so that, always having what you need in all things, you may abound unto every good work,

9 [Those who give willingly and cheerfully will be rewarded like the man about whom] it is written {[about whom] (someone/the Psalmist) wrote} in the Scriptures, He generously [helps others], [he gives to those] who are poor. [God will remember] the good things that he did, [and reward him with] good things forever. (aiōn g165)

just as it was written: “He has distributed widely, he has given to the poor; his justice remains from age to age.” (aiōn g165)

10 [God always] gives seeds to farmers to plant, and also gives them food to eat. [So, similarly, God will] always make it possible for you to have enough money [MET], so that you will be able more and more to generously [help those who are needy].

And he who ministers seed to the sower will offer you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and will increase the growth of the fruits of your justice.

11 [God] will [give you] many blessings in many different ways as a result of your generously [helping others]. Furthermore, [the] generous [gift that you are getting ready for] us [(exc) to take to the believers in Judea province] will cause [many people] to thank God.

So then, having been enriched in all things, you may abound in all simplicity, which works thanksgiving to God through us.

12 [Also remember that] when you give money to [EUP] help God’s people, you not only give them what they need, but also, [because of that], [many people will] thank God very much [for you and for what you have done].

For the ministration of this office not only supplies whatever the saints need, but also abounds through many thanksgivings in the Lord.

13 As a result of your giving [money to help others], they will praise God, not only because you have believed the good message about Christ, but also because you have [generously given some of your possessions] so that they and other [believers will all have] ([enough/their needs supplied]).

And so, through the evidence of this ministry, you glorify God by the obedience of your confession in the Gospel of Christ, and by the simplicity of your communion with them and with everyone,

14 Also, when they pray for you, [asking God to bless you, they will remember how grateful they are] [IDM] that God [caused you to give] very willingly and cheerfully.

and they offer prayers for you, being solicitous about you, because of the excellent grace of God within you.

15 [Finally, we should all] thank God [because he gave us the greatest gift of all when he sent his Son to save/rescue us(inc)] ([from the guilt of our sin/from being punished for our sin]). That is a gift too wonderful for anyone to be able to tell about completely!

Thanks be to God for his ineffable gift.