2 Corinthians 9
New American Standard Bible
God Gives Most
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 willingness, of which I (C)boast about you to the (D)Macedonians, namely, that (E)Achaia has been prepared since (F)last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I have sent the brothers, in order that our (G)boasting about you may not prove empty in this case, so that, (H)as I was saying, you will be prepared; 4 otherwise, if any (I)Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to mention you—would be put to shame by this confidence. 5 So I considered it necessary to urge the (J)brothers that they go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously promised [b](K)generous gift, that the same would be ready as a [c](L)generous gift, and not as one grudgingly given due to greediness.
6 Now I say this: (M)the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows [d]generously will also reap [e]generously. 7 Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not (N)reluctantly or under compulsion, for (O)God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And (P)God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written:
10 Now He who supplies (R)seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and (S)increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be (T)enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing (U)thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying (V)the needs of the [g]saints, but is also overflowing (W)through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this (X)ministry, they will (Y)glorify God for your obedience to your (Z)confession of the (AA)gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your [h]contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 (AB)Thanks be to God for His indescribable (AC)gift!
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 9:1 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 Lit blessing
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 Lit blessing
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 Lit with blessings
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 Lit with blessings
- 2 Corinthians 9:9 Lit remains
- 2 Corinthians 9:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- 2 Corinthians 9:13 Or sharing with them
2 Corinthians 9
International Standard Version
Why Giving is Important
9 I do not need to write to you any further about the ministry to the saints. 2 For I know how willing you are, and I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying[a] that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has stimulated most of them. 3 Now I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter may not prove to be an idle boast, and so that you may stand ready, just as I said. 4 Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find out that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking. 5 Therefore, I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me, to make arrangements in advance for this gift you promised, and to have it ready as something given generously and not forced.
6 Remember[b] this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or under compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8 Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work. 9 As it is written,
“He scatters everywhere and gives to the poor;
his righteousness lasts forever.”[c]
10 Now he who supplies seed to the farmer and bread to eat will also supply you with seed and multiply it and enlarge the harvest that results from your righteousness. 11 In every way you will grow richer and become even more generous, and this will cause others to give thanks to God because of us, 12 since this ministry you render is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, it is also overflowing with more and more prayers of thanksgiving to God. 13 Because your service in giving proves your love,[d] you will be glorifying God as you obey what your confession of the Messiah’s[e] gospel demands,[f] since you are generous in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And so in their prayers for you they will long for you because of God’s exceptional grace that was shown to you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 9:2 The Gk. lacks saying
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 Lit. Now
- 2 Corinthians 9:9 Ps 112:9
- 2 Corinthians 9:13 The Gk. lacks your love
- 2 Corinthians 9:13 Or Christ’s
- 2 Corinthians 9:13 The Gk. lacks demands
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