| New American Standard Bible 1995 | International Standard Version |
| 1For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; | 1I do not need to write to you any further about the ministry to the saints. |
| 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 how willing you are, and I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has stimulated 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; | 3Now I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter may not prove to be an idle boast, and so that you may stand ready, 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. | 4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find out that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking. |
| 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 thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me, to make arrangements in advance for this gift you promised, and to have it ready as something given generously and not forced. |
| 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 of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or under compulsion, since 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; | 8Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work. |
| 9as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER." | 9As it is written, "He scatters everywhere and gives to the poor; his righteousness lasts 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 he who supplies seed to the farmer and bread to eat will also supply you with seed and multiply it and enlarge the harvest that results from your righteousness. |
| 11you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. | 11In every way you will grow richer and become even more generous, and this will cause others to give thanks to God because of 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. | 12since this ministry you render is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, it is also overflowing with more and more prayers 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, | 13Because your service in giving proves your love, you will be glorifying God as you obey what your confession of the Messiah's gospel demands, since you are generous in sharing with them and with everyone else. |
| 14while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. | 14And so in their prayers for you they will long for you because of God's exceptional grace that was shown to 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 | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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