| New American Standard Bible 1995 | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; | 1Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. |
| 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 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 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 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 speak of you-- will be put to shame by this confidence. | 4For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be embarrassed in that situation. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. | 6Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. |
| 7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for 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 all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; | 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 SCATTERED ABROAD, 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 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; | 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 everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. | 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 fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings 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 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, | 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. |
| 14while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn 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. |
| 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 | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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