1 E n cuanto a la ayuda para los santos, no es necesario que yo les escriba;

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 la buena predisposición de ustedes, de la cual he hablado con orgullo entre los de Macedonia, pues les he dicho que los de Acaya estaban preparados desde el año pasado, y el entusiasmo de ustedes ha estimulado a la mayoría.

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 P ero he enviado a los hermanos, para que nuestro orgullo por ustedes no sea en vano, y para que ustedes estén preparados, como ya lo había dicho;

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 algunos macedonios vienen conmigo y los encuentran desprevenidos, tengamos que avergonzarnos de la confianza que depositamos en ustedes, y ustedes mismos queden avergonzados.

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, me pareció necesario rogar a los hermanos que vayan primero a visitarlos y preparen de antemano lo que ustedes ya habían prometido, para que lo tengan listo como un donativo generoso y no como una exigencia nuestra.

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 P ero recuerden esto: El que poco siembra, poco cosecha; y el que mucho siembra, mucho cosecha.

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 debe dar según se lo haya propuesto en su corazón, y no debe dar con tristeza, ni por necesidad, porque Dios ama a quien da con alegría.

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 Dios es poderoso como para que abunde en ustedes toda gracia, para que siempre y en toda circunstancia tengan todo lo necesario, y abunde en ustedes 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: «Repartió, dio a los pobres, y 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 aquel que da semilla al que siembra, y pan al que come, proveerá los recursos de ustedes y los multiplicará, aumentándoles así sus frutos de 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 sean ustedes enriquecidos en todo, para toda generosidad, que por medio de nosotros produce acción de gracias a 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 contribución de este servicio suple no solamente lo que les falta a los santos, sino que también abunda en muchas acciones de gracias a 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 p ues al experimentar este servicio glorifican a Dios por la obediencia de ustedes al evangelio de Cristo, y por su generosa contribución 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 demás, ellos orarán por ustedes, pues los aman por la superabundante gracia de Dios en ustedes.

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 ¡ Demos gracias a Dios por su don inefable!

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