2 Corinthians 9

1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,2 for 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.3 But 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,4 so that I won’t by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in 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.6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.7 Let each man give according as he has determined 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, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

9 As it is written,

“He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor.
His righteousness remains forever.”t
10 Now 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;11 you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.12 For 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;13 seeing 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;14 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable 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