| New American Standard Bible 1995 | New International Version |
| 1For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; | 1There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord's people. |
| 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 to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. |
| 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 am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. |
| 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 say anything about you--would be ashamed of having been so confident. |
| 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. | 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. |
| 6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. | 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever 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 should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, 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 bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. |
| 9as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER." | 9As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their 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 he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge 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 so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. |
| 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. | 12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks 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 of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity 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 in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given 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 | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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