1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;
2For I know the readiness {forwardness} of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
3Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf, that, as I said, ye may be ready,
4Lest somehow {haply}, if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, of which {whereof} ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. 6But this I say, He who soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work; 9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; He hath given to the poor; His righteousness remaineth for ever. 10Now He that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food {meat}, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness), 11Being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13While by the proving {experiment} of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection into the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men, 14And by their prayer for you, who long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift. King James Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |