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

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

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 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 empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you 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 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.

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 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.

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

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

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 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 to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to 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 scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains 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 your seed for sowing, 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.

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

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 w hile they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing 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 to God for His indescribable gift!

Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!