2 Corinthians, 9

1. For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

1. It is not necessary for me to write to you about assistance to the saints.

2. For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

2. I know your readiness and I praised you before the Macedonians. I said, "In Achaia they have been ready for the collection since last year." And your enthusiasm carried most of them along.

3. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

3. So I send you these brothers of ours. May all my praise of you not fall flat in this case! May you be ready, as I said.

4. Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

4. If some Macedonians come with me, let them not find you unprepared. What a shame for me - and perhaps for you - after so much confidence!

5. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not as [of] covetousness.

5. So I thought it necessary to ask our brothers to go ahead of us and see you to organize this blessed work you have promised. It shall come from your generosity and not be an imposed task.

6. But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

6. Remember: the one who sows meagerly will reap meagerly, and there shall be generous harvests for the one who sows generously.

7. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

7. Each of you should give as you decided personally, and not reluctantly as if obliged. God loves a cheerful giver.

8. And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:

8. And God is able to fill you with every good thing, so that you have enough of everything at all times, and may give abundantly for any good work.

9. (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

9. Scripture says: He distributed, he gave to the poor, his good works last forever.

10. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

10. God who provides the sower with seed will also provide him with the bread he eats. He will multiply the seed for you and also increase the interests of your good works.

11. Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

11. Become rich in every way, and give abundantly. What you give will become, through us, a thanksgiving to God.

12. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

12. For this sacred relief, after providing the saints with what they need, will result in much thanksgiving to God.

13. Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution unto them, and unto all [men];

13. This will be a test for them; they will give thanks because you obey the requirements of Christ's Gospel and share generously with them and with all.

14. And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

14. They shall pray to God for you and feel affection for you because the grace of God overflows in you.

15. Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.

15. Yes, thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!