| New Living Translation | Berean Study Bible |
| 1I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. | 1Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you. |
| 2For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. | 2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise. |
| 3But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. | 3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said. |
| 4We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! | 4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. |
| 5So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. | 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly. |
| 6Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. | 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. |
| 7You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” | 7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. |
| 8And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. | 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. |
| 9As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” | 9As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” |
| 10For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. | 10Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. |
| 11Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. | 11You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God. |
| 12So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. | 12For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. |
| 13As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. | 13Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others. |
| 14And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. | 14And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. |
| 15Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! | 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! |
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