1 I t is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,

For concerning the ministration which for the saints, it is superfluous my writing to you.

2 f or 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.

For I know your readiness, which I boast of as respects you to Macedonians, that Achaia is prepared since a year ago, and the zeal of you has stimulated the mass.

3 B ut 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,

But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect, in order that, as I have said, ye may be prepared;

4 s o 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.

lest haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, that we say not ye, may be put to shame in this confidence.

5 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.

I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you, and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you.

6 R emember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

But this, he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in blessing shall reap also in blessing:

7 L et each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

each according as he is purposed in his heart; not grievingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 A nd God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

But God is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you, that, having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work:

9 A s it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”

according as it is written, He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains for ever.

10 N ow 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;

Now he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

11 y ou being enriched in everything to all liberality, which produces through us thanksgiving to God.

enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.

12 F or 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;

Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God;

13 s eeing 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;

they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration, by reason of your subjection, by profession, to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all;

14 w hile they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

and in their supplication for you, full of ardent desire for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God upon you.

15 N ow thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

Thanks to God for his unspeakable free gift.