1 F or it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;

Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;

2 f or 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.

for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.

3 B ut 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;

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

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

lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.

5 S o 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.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. The Cheerful Giver

6 N ow this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

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

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 A nd 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;

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

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

As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

10 N ow 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;

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

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

while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

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

For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

13 B ecause 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,

while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,

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

and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

15 T hanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!