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

It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service 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 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 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 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 those of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed of this our 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 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.

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

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

Let each man give according as he has determined 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, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

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 has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains 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 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 s o that being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out through us thanksgiving unto God.

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

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 prayer for you, for they love you because of the eminent grace of God in 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 be unto God for his indescribable gift.

Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!