2 Corinthians - Chapter 9

Collection for the Poor

¹ Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;

² for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.

³ Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready;

⁴ lest if [some] Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.

⁵ Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which [you had] previously promised, that it may be ready as [a matter of] generosity and not as a grudging obligation.

Benefits from Alms

⁶ But this [I say:] He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

⁷ [So let] each one [give] as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

⁸ And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all [things,] may have an abundance for every good work.

⁹ As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."

¹⁰ Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have [sown] and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

¹¹ while [you are] enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

¹² For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

¹³ while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal sharing with them and all [men,]

¹⁴ and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

¹⁵ Thanks [be] to God for His indescribable gift!