| Christian Standard Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. | 1Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. |
| 2For I know your eagerness, and I boast about you to the Macedonians: "Achaia has been ready since last year," and your zeal has stirred up most of them. | 2For I know your eagerness, and I brag about you to the Macedonians: "Achaia has been prepared since last year," and your zeal has stirred up most of them. |
| 3But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter would not prove empty, and so that you would be ready just as I said. | 3But I sent the brothers so our boasting about you in the matter would not prove empty, and so you would be prepared just as I said. |
| 4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be put to shame in that situation. | 4For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be embarrassed in that situation. |
| 5Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion. | 5Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion. |
| 6The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. | 6Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. |
| 7Each person should do as he has decided in his heart--not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. | 7Each person should do as he has decided in his heart--not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. |
| 8And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. | 8And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. |
| 9As it is written: He distributed freely; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. | 9As it is written: He scattered; He gave to the poor; His righteousness endures forever. |
| 10Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. | 10Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. |
| 11You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. | 11You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. |
| 12For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. | 12For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. |
| 13Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. | 13They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service. |
| 14And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. | 14And they will have deep affection for you in their prayers on your behalf because of the surpassing grace of God in you. |
| 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! | 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. |
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