1 C uanto a la ministración para los santos, es por demás que yo os 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 vuestra buena voluntad, de la cual yo me glorío entre los de Macedonia, que Acaya está preparada desde el año pasado; y vuestro celo 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 gloriarnos de vosotros no sea vano en esta parte; para que como lo he dicho, estéis preparados;

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 algunos macedonios, y os hallaren desprevenidos, nos avergoncemos nosotros, por no decir vosotros, de esta nuestra confianza.

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 necesario exhortar a los hermanos que fuesen primero a vosotros y preparasen primero vuestra generosidad antes prometida, para que esté lista como de generosidad, y no como de 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 esto digo: El que siembra escasamente, también segará escasamente; y el que siembra generosamente, generosamente 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, ni por necesidad, porque Dios ama al 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, a fin de que, teniendo siempre en todas las cosas todo lo suficiente, 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: Repartió, dio a los pobres; Su justicia permanece para siempre. m

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 semilla al que siembra, y pan al que come, proveerá y multiplicará vuestra sementera, y aumentará 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 liberalidad, la cual produce por medio de nosotros 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 ministración de este servicio no solamente suple lo que a los santos falta, 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 por la experiencia de esta ministración glorifican a Dios por la obediencia que profesáis al evangelio de Cristo, y por la liberalidad de vuestra 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 simismo en la oración de ellos por vosotros, a quienes aman a causa de la superabundante 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 a Dios por su don inefable!

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