^{1 Ref} But there is no need for me to say anything in my letter about the giving to the saints:

^{2 Ref} For I have before made clear to those of Macedonia my pride in your ready mind, saying to them that Achaia has been ready for a year back; and a great number have been moved to do the same by your example.

^{3 Ref} But I have sent the brothers, so that the good things we said about you may be seen to be true, and that, as I said, you may be ready:

^{4 Ref} For fear that, if any from Macedonia come with me, and you are not ready, we (not to say, you) might be put to shame in this thing.

^{5 Ref} So it seemed to me wise for the brothers to go before, and see that the amount which you had undertaken to give was ready, so that it might be a cause for praise, and not as if we were making profit out of you.

^{6 Ref} But in the Writings it says, He who puts in only a small number of seeds, will get in the same; and he who puts them in from a full hand, will have produce in full measure from them.

^{7 Ref} Let every man do after the purpose of his heart; not giving with grief, or by force: for God takes pleasure in a ready giver.

^{8 Ref} And God is able to give you all grace in full measure; so that ever having enough of all things, you may be full of every good work:

^{9 Ref} As it is said in the Writings, He has sent out far and wide, he has given to the poor; his righteousness is for ever.

^{10 Ref} And he who gives seed for putting into the field and bread for food, will take care of the growth of your seed, at the same time increasing the fruits of your righteousness;

^{11 Ref} Your wealth being increased in everything, with a simple mind, causing praise to God through us.

^{12 Ref} For this work of giving not only takes care of the needs of the saints, but is the cause of much praise to God;

^{13 Ref} For when, through this work of giving, they see what you are, they give glory to God for the way in which you have given yourselves to the good news of Christ, and for the wealth of your giving to them and to all;

^{14 Ref} While their hearts go out to you in love and in prayer for you, because of the great grace of God which is in you.

^{15 Ref} Praise be to God for what he has given, which words have no power to say.

^{1 Ref} For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

^{2 Ref} for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.

^{3 Ref} But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared:

^{4 Ref} lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.

^{5 Ref} I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

^{6 Ref} But this `I say,' He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

^{7 Ref} `Let' each man `do' according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

^{8 Ref} And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:

^{9 Ref} as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever.

^{10 Ref} And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

^{11 Ref} ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

^{12 Ref} For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;

^{13 Ref} seeing that through the proving `of you' by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of `your' contribution unto them and unto all;

^{14 Ref} while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

^{15 Ref} Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

^{1 Ref} It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,

^{2 Ref} for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.

^{3 Ref} But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,

^{4 Ref} so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.

^{5 Ref} I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.

^{6 Ref} Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

^{7 Ref} Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

^{8 Ref} And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

^{9 Ref} As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever."

^{10 Ref} Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;

^{11 Ref} you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.

^{12 Ref} For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;

^{13 Ref} seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;

^{14 Ref} while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

^{15 Ref} Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!