| New American Standard Bible 1995 | English Standard Version |
| 1For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; | 1Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, |
| 2for 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. | 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. |
| 3But 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; | 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. |
| 4otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we-- not to speak of you-- will be put to shame by this confidence. | 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. |
| 5So 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. | 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. |
| 6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. | 6The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. |
| 7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | 7Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. |
| 8And 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; | 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. |
| 9as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER." | 9As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” |
| 10Now 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; | 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. |
| 11you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. | 11You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. |
| 12For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through 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 thanksgivings to God. |
| 13Because 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, | 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, |
| 14while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. | 14while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. |
| 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! | 15Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
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