1 For concerning the ministry that is done toward the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.
1 For concerning the ministry that is done towards the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.
2 For I know your prompt mind: for the which I glory of you to the Macedonians: That Achaia also is ready from the year past, and your emulation hath provoked very many.
2 For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you to the Macedonians. That Achaia also is ready from the year past, and your emulation hath provoked very many.
3 But I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we glory of you, be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:
3 Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we boast of concerning you, be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:
4 lest when the Macedonians shall come with me, and find you unready, we (that we say not, ye) may be ashamed in this substance.
4 Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in this matter.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would come to you, and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready so, as a blessing, not as avarice.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before, and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.
6 And this I say, he that soweth sparingly, sparingly also shall reap: and he that soweth in blessings, of blessings also shall reap.
6 Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings.
7 Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not of sadness or of necessity. For God loveth a cheerful giver.
7 Everyone as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness, or of necessity: ¹for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound in you: that in all things always having all sufficiency, you may abound unto all good works,
8 And God is able to make all grace abound in you; that ye always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work,
9 as it is written: He distributed, he gave to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.
9 As it is written: ²He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.
10 And he that ministereth seed to the sower, will give bread also for to eat: and will multiply your seed and will augment the increases of the fruits of your justice:
10 And he that ministereth seed to the sower, will both give you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:
11 that being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity, which worketh by us thanks-giving to God.
11 That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.
12 Because the ministry of this office doth not only supply those things that the Saints want, but aboundeth also by many thanks-givings in our Lord,
12 Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord,
13 by the proof of this ministry, glorifying God in the obedience of your confession unto the Gospel of Christ, and in the simplicity of communicating unto them, and unto all,
13 By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them, and unto all.
14 and in their praying for you, being desirous of you because of the excellent grace of God in you.
14 And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.