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 regarding 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 ready desire, for which I gloried of you to those of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal has provoked many.

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;

Yet I have sent the brethren lest our glorying of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready,

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 haply if those of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed of this our 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.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would first go unto you and prepare beforehand your blessing, of which ye had given notice before that the same might be ready as a blessing, and not as of covetousness.

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 who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he who sows in blessings shall also reap blessings.

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.

Each one according as they purpose in their heart, so let them give, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves 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 in you that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to 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 has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains 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].

Now he that supplies seed to the sower shall also supply bread for food and shall multiply your seed sown and shall increase the growing of 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.

so that being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out through us thanksgiving unto 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 administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also abounds in much thanksgiving 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.

that by the experience of this ministration, they glorify God for the obedience of your consent unto the gospel of the Christ and in your liberal distribution unto them and unto everyone,

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.

and in their prayer for you, for they love you because of the eminent grace of God in you.

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

Thanks be unto God for his indescribable gift.