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

Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write 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 willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.

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,

Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready;

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 if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.

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.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. The Cheerful Giver

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

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

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.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly 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.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

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

As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

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 may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

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

while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us 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;

For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through 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;

while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,

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 by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

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

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!