2 Corinthians 9
God Gives Most
1 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared;4 otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we-not to speak of you-will be put to shame by this confidence.5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;9 as it is written,
"HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR,
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER."10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9
Preparing the Gift
1 For it is not necessaryt for me to write you about this servicet to the saints,2 because I know your eagerness to help.t I keep boasting to the Macedonians about this eagerness of yours,t that Achaia has been ready to givet since last year, and your zeal to participatet has stirred up most of them.s3 But I am sendingt these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be readyt just as I kept telling them.4 For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliatedt (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.t5 Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contributiont you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous giftt and not as something you feel forced to do.t6 My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generouslyt will also reap generously.7 Each one of you should givet just as he has decided in his heart,t not reluctantlyt or under compulsion,t because God loves a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace overflowt to you so that because you have enought of everything in every way at all times, you will overflowt in every good work.9 Just as it is written, “Heshas scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.”s10 Now Godt who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow.11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion,t which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,12 because the service of this ministry is not only providing fort the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.13 Through the evidencet of this servicet they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharingt with them and with everyone.14 And in their prayers on your behalf they long for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown to you.t
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!t