1 For, respecting the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;
2 for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past; and your zeal stirred up the majority of them.
3 But I sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that even as I said, ye may be prepared;
4 Lest by any means, if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.
5 I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brethren, that they should go before to you, and make up beforehand your previously promised bounty, that this may be ready as a matter of bounty and not as of covetousness.
6 But I say this: He that sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
7 Let each one do as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in every thing, may abound to every good work:
9 as it has been written, "He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor; his righteousness abides forever."
10 And He Who supplieth seed to the sower, and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
11 ye being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
12 Because the ministry of this service not only fully supplies the deficiencies of the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God;
13 through the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the Gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;
14 they also, with supplication for you, longing after you on account of the exceeding grace of God upon you.
15 Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!