1 N ow about the offering that is for the saints (God’s people in Jerusalem), it is quite superfluous that I should write you;

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

2 F or I am well acquainted with your willingness (your readiness and your eagerness to promote it) and I have proudly told about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia (most of Greece) has been prepared since last year for this contribution; and your enthusiasm has stimulated the majority of them.

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.

3 S till, I am sending the brethren, lest our pride in you should be made an empty boast in this particular case, and so that you may be all ready, as I told them you would be;

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:

4 L est, if Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared, we, to say nothing of yourselves, be humiliated for our being so confident.

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.

5 T hat is why I thought it necessary to urge these brethren to go to you before I do and make arrangements in advance for this bountiful, promised gift of yours, so that it may be ready, not as an extortion but as a generous and willing gift.

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.

6 t his: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously '> that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.

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

7 L et each one as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver.

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

8 A nd God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient.

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:

9 A s it is written, He scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!

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

10 A nd Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness '> which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].

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:

11 T hus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.

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

12 F or the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints (God’s people), but it also overflows in many thanksgiving to God.

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;

13 B ecause at standing of the test of this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty and obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all.

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;

14 A nd they yearn for you while they pray for you, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace (His favor and mercy and spiritual blessing which is shown forth) in you.

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

15 N ow thanks be to God for His Gift, beyond telling!

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.