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2 Corinthians 9
Legacy Standard Bible

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

9 For (A)it is superfluous for me to write to you about this (B)ministry to the [a]saints; 2 for I know your readiness, of which I (C)boast about you to the (D)Macedonians, that (E)Achaia has been prepared since (F)last year, and your zeal stirred up most of them. 3 But I have sent the brothers, in order that our (G)boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, (H)as I was saying, you may be prepared; 4 lest if any (I)Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—be put to shame in this certainty of ours. 5 So I regarded it necessary to encourage the (J)brothers that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised (K)blessing, so that the same would be ready as a (L)blessing and not as a [b](M)begrudging obligation.

6 Now this I say, (N)he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows with blessing will also reap with blessing. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not (O)grudgingly or under compulsion, for (P)God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And (Q)God is able to make every grace abound to you, so that in everything at every time having every sufficiency, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written,

“(R)He scattered abroad, he gave to the needy,
His righteousness [c]stands forever.”

10 Now He who supplies (S)seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and (T)increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be (U)enriched in everything for all generosity, which through us is bringing about (V)thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying (W)the needs of the [d]saints, but is also abounding (X)through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proven character given by this (Y)ministry, they will (Z)glorify God for your obedience to your (AA)confession of the (AB)gospel of Christ and for the [e]generosity of your [f]fellowship toward them and toward all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, long for you because of the surpassing grace of God on you. 15 [g](AC)Thanks be to God for His indescribable (AD)gift!

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:1 Or holy ones
  2. 2 Corinthians 9:5 Lit covetousness
  3. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Lit abides
  4. 2 Corinthians 9:12 Or holy ones
  5. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Or simplicity; without false motives
  6. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Or sharing, cf. Rom 15:26
  7. 2 Corinthians 9:15 Lit Grace; with gratitude
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2 Corinthians 9
Christian Standard Bible

Motivations for Giving

9 Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. 2 For I know your eagerness, and I boast about you to the Macedonians,(A) “Achaia(B) has been ready since last year,” and your zeal(C) has stirred up most of them.(D) 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter would not prove empty, and so that you would be ready just as I said. 4 Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be put to shame in that situation.[a] 5 Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift(E) you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion.(F)

6 The point is this:[b] The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves(G) a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able(H) to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 9 As it is written:

He distributed freely;(I)
he gave to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.[c](J)

10 Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.(K) 11 You will be enriched(L) in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 For the ministry of this service(M) is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity(N) in sharing with them and with everyone. 14 And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Footnotes

  1. 9:4 Or in this confidence
  2. 9:6 Lit And this
  3. 9:9 Ps 112:9
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2 Corinthians 8
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