2 Corinthians 8:1-10

English Standard Version

Encouragement to Give Generously

8 We want you to know, brothers,^[a] about the grace of God that has been ^(A)given among the churches of Macedonia, ²for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and ^(B)their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³For they gave ^(C)according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴begging us earnestly ^(D)for the favor^[b] of taking part in ^(E)the relief of the saints— ⁵and this, not as we expected, but they ^(F)gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶Accordingly, ^(G)we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you ^(H)this act of grace. ⁷But as ^(I)you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you^[c]—^(J)see that you excel in this act of grace also.

⁸^(K)I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ^(L)though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. ¹⁰And in this matter ^(M)I give my judgment: ^(N)this benefits you, who ^(O)a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.

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Footnotes

2 Corinthians 8:1 Or brothers and sisters
2 Corinthians 8:4 The Greek word charis can mean favor or grace or thanks, depending on the context
2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts in your love for us

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

English Standard Version

The Cheerful Giver

⁶The point is this: ^(A)whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully^[a] will also reap bountifully. ⁷Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, ^(B)not reluctantly or under compulsion, for ^(C)God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And ^(D)God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency^[b] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written,

^(E)“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

¹⁰He who supplies ^(F)seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and ^(G)increase the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹^(H)You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which ^(I)through us will produce thanksgiving to God.