Epistula II ad Corinthios, 9
1. Nam de ministerio, quod fit in sanctos, superfluum est mihi scribere vobis;
1. Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the offering for the saints,
2. scio enim promptum animum vestrum, pro quo de vobis glorior apud Macedonas, quoniam Achaia parata est ab anno praeterito, et vestra aemulatio provocavit plurimos.
2. for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedo'nia, saying that Acha'ia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
3. Misi autem fratres, ut ne, quod gloriamur de vobis, evacuetur in hac parte, ut, quemadmodum dixi, parati sitis,
3. But I am sending the brethren so that our boasting about you may not prove vain in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be;
4. ne, cum venerint mecum Macedones et invenerint vos imparatos, erubescamus nos, ut non dicam vos, in hac substantia.
4. lest if some Macedo'nians come with me and find that you are not ready, we be humiliated -- to say nothing of you -- for being so confident.
5. Necessarium ergo existimavi rogare fratres, ut praeveniant ad vos et praeparent repromissam benedictionem vestram, ut haec sit parata sic quasi benedictio, non quasi avaritia.
5. So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren to go on to you before me, and arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so that it may be ready not as an exaction but as a willing gift.
6. Hoc autem: qui parce seminat, parce et metet; et, qui seminat in benedictionibus, in benedictionibus et metet.
6. The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7. Unusquisque prout destinavit corde suo, non ex tristitia aut ex necessitate; hilarem enim datorem diligit Deus.
7. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8. Potens est autem Deus omnem gratiam abundare facere in vobis, ut, in omnibus semper omnem sufficientiam habentes, abundetis in omne opus bonum,
8. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.
9. sicut scriptum est: “Dispersit, dedit pauperibus; iustitia eius manet in aeternum”.
9. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever."
10. Qui autem administrat semen seminanti, et panem ad manducandum praestabit et multiplicabit semen vestrum et augebit incrementa frugum iustitiae vestrae.
10. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11. In omnibus locupletati in omnem simplicitatem, quae operatur per nos gratiarum actionem Deo
11. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God;
12. — quoniam ministerium huius officii non solum supplet ea, quae desunt sanctis, sed etiam abundat per multas gratiarum actiones Deo —
12. for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God.
13. per probationem ministerii huius glorificantes Deum in oboedientia confessionis vestrae in evangelium Christi et simplicitate communionis in illos et in omnes,
13. Under the test of this service, you will glorify God by your obedience in acknowledging the gospel of Christ, and by the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others;
14. et ipsorum obsecratione pro vobis, desiderantium vos propter eminentem gratiam Dei in vobis.
14. while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
15. Gratias Deo super inenarrabili dono eius.
15. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
