^{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, indeed, concerning the ministration that `is' for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you,

^{2 Ref} for I have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia hath been prepared a year ago, and the zeal of you did stir up the more part,

^{3 Ref} and I sent the brethren, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made vain in this respect; that, according as I said, ye may be ready,

^{4 Ref} lest if Macedonians may come with me, and find you unprepared, we -- we may be put to shame (that we say not -- ye) in this same confidence of boasting.

^{5 Ref} Necessary, therefore, I thought `it' to exhort the brethren, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness.

^{6 Ref} And this: He who is sowing sparingly, sparingly also shall reap; and he who is sowing in blessings, in blessings also shall reap;

^{7 Ref} each one, according as he doth purpose in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for a cheerful giver doth God love,

^{8 Ref} and God `is' able all grace to cause to abound to you, that in every thing always all sufficiency having, ye may abound to every good work,

^{9 Ref} (according as it hath been written, `He dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness doth remain to the age,')

^{10 Ref} and may He who is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

^{11 Ref} in every thing being enriched to all liberality, which doth work through us thanksgiving to God,

^{12 Ref} because the ministration of this service not only is supplying the wants of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

^{13 Ref} through the proof of this ministration glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ, and `for' the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all,

^{14 Ref} and by their supplication in your behalf, longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God upon you;

^{15 Ref} thanks also 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!