| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. | 1Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you. |
| 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. | 2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise. |
| 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. | 3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said. |
| 4For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be embarrassed in that situation. | 4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. |
| 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. | 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly. |
| 6Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. | 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. |
| 7Each person should do as he has decided in his heart--not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. | 7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. |
| 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. | 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. |
| 9As it is written: He scattered; He gave to the poor; His righteousness endures forever. | 9As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” |
| 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. | 10Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. |
| 11You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. | 11You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving 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. | 12For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. |
| 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. | 13Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others. |
| 14And they will have deep affection for you in their prayers on your behalf because of the surpassing grace of God in you. | 14And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. |
| 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. | 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! |
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