| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, | 1Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. |
| 2for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. | 2For I know your eagerness, and I brag about you to the Macedonians: "Achaia has been prepared since last year," and your zeal has stirred up most of them. |
| 3But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. | 3But I sent the brothers so our boasting about you in the matter would not prove empty, and so you would be prepared just as I said. |
| 4Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. | 4For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be embarrassed in that situation. |
| 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. | 5Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion. |
| 6The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. | 6Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. |
| 7Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | 7Each person should do as he has decided in his heart--not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. |
| 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. | 8And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. |
| 9As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” | 9As it is written: He scattered; He gave to the poor; His righteousness endures forever. |
| 10He 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. | 10Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. |
| 11You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. | 11You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. |
| 12For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. | 12For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. |
| 13By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, | 13They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service. |
| 14while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. | 14And they will have deep affection for you in their prayers on your behalf because of the surpassing grace of God in you. |
| 15Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! | 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. |
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