| New American Standard Bible 1995 | New Living Translation |
| 1For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; | 1I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. |
| 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 how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. |
| 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 these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. |
| 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. | 4We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! |
| 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 I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. |
| 6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. | 6Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. |
| 7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | 7You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” |
| 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 will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. |
| 9as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER." | 9As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered 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; | 10For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. |
| 11you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. | 11Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank 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. | 12So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks 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, | 13As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. |
| 14while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. | 14And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. |
| 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! | 15Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! |
| 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 | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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