1 ¶ For regarding the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;

2 F or 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.

for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.

3 Y et 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,

But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared;

4 l est 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.

otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this confidence.

5 T herefore 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.

So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.

6 ¶ But this I say, He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he who sows in blessings shall also reap blessings.

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 E ach one according as they purpose in their heart, so let them give, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 A nd 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:

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

9 A s it is written, He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains for ever.

as it is written, “ He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.”

10 N ow 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,

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;

11 s o that being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out through us thanksgiving unto God.

you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

12 F or the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also abounds in much thanksgiving unto God;

For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.

13 t hat 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,

Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,

14 a nd in their prayer for you, for they love you because of the eminent grace of God in you.

while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

15 T hanks be unto God for his indescribable gift.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!