1 F or concerning the ministration which for the saints, it is superfluous my writing to you.

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

2 F or I know your readiness, which I boast of as respects you to Macedonians, that Achaia is prepared since a year ago, and the zeal of you has stimulated the mass.

for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.

3 B ut I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect, in order that, as I have said, ye may be prepared;

But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,

4 l est haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, that we say not ye, may be put to shame in this confidence.

so that I won’t by any means, if anyone from Macedonia comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.

5 I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you, and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you.

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.

6 B ut this, he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in blessing shall reap also in blessing:

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

7 e ach according as he is purposed in his heart; not grievingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

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

8 B ut God is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you, that, having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work:

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.

9 a ccording as it is written, He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains for ever.

As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”

10 N ow he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

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;

11 e nriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.

you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which produces through us thanksgiving to God.

12 B ecause the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God;

For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;

13 t hey glorifying God through the proof of this ministration, by reason of your subjection, by profession, to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all;

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 liberality of your contribution to them and to all;

14 a nd in their supplication for you, full of ardent desire for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God upon you.

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

15 T hanks to God for his unspeakable free gift.

Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!