1 P ORQUE cuanto á la suministración para los santos, por demás me es escribiros;

Now about the offering that is for the saints (God’s people in Jerusalem), it is quite superfluous that I should write you;

2 P ues conozco vuestro pronto ánimo, del cual me glorío yo entre los de Macedonia, que Acaya está apercibida desde el año pasado; y vuestro ejemplo ha estimulado á muchos.

For I am well acquainted with your willingness (your readiness and your eagerness to promote it) and I have proudly told about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia (most of Greece) has been prepared since last year for this contribution; and your enthusiasm has stimulated the majority of them.

3 M as he enviado los hermanos, porque nuestra gloria de vosotros no sea vana en esta parte; para que, como lo he dicho, estéis apercibidos;

Still, I am sending the brethren, lest our pride in you should be made an empty boast in this particular case, and so that you may be all ready, as I told them you would be;

4 N o sea que, si vinieren conmigo Macedonios, y os hallaren desapercibidos, nos avergoncemos nosotros, por no decir vosotros, de este firme gloriarnos.

Lest, if Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared, we, to say nothing of yourselves, be humiliated for our being so confident.

5 P or tanto, tuve por cosa necesaria exhortar á los hermanos que fuesen primero á vosotros, y apresten primero vuestra bendición antes prometida para que esté aparejada como de bendición, y no como de mezquindad.

That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brethren to go to you before I do and make arrangements in advance for this bountiful, promised gift of yours, so that it may be ready, not as an extortion but as a generous and willing gift.

6 E sto empero digo: El que siembra escasamente, también segará escasamente; y el que siembra en bendiciones, en bendiciones también segará.

this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously '> that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.

7 C ada uno dé como propuso en su corazón: no con tristeza, ó por necesidad; porque Dios ama el dador alegre.

Let each one as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver.

8 Y poderoso es Dios para hacer que abunde en vosotros toda gracia; á fin de que, teniendo siempre en todas las cosas todo lo que basta, abundéis para toda buena obra:

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient.

9 C omo está escrito: Derramó, dió á los pobres; Su justicia permanece para siempre.

As it is written, He scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!

10 Y el que da simiente al que siembra, también dará pan para comer, y multiplicará vuestra sementera, y aumentará los crecimientos de los frutos de vuestra justicia;

And Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness '> which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].

11 P ara que estéis enriquecidos en todo para toda bondad, la cual obra por nosotros hacimiento de gracias á Dios.

Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.

12 P orque la suministración de este servicio, no solamente suple lo que á los santos falta, sino también abunda en muchos hacimientos de gracias á Dios:

For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints (God’s people), but it also overflows in many thanksgiving to God.

13 Q ue por la experiencia de esta suministración glorifican á Dios por la obediencia que profesáis al evangelio de Cristo, y por la bondad de contribuir para ellos y para todos;

Because at standing of the test of this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty and obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all.

14 A simismo por la oración de ellos á favor vuestro, los cuales os quieren á causa de la eminente gracia de Dios en vosotros.

And they yearn for you while they pray for you, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace (His favor and mercy and spiritual blessing which is shown forth) in you.

15 G racias á Dios por su don inefable.

Now thanks be to God for His Gift, beyond telling!