2 Corinthians 9:2-7
English Standard Version
2 for I know your readiness, (A)of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready (B)since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But (C)I am sending[a] the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, (D)as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians (E)come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the (F)gift[b] you have promised, so that it may be ready (G)as a willing gift, (H)not as an exaction.[c]
The Cheerful Giver
6 The point is this: (I)whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[d] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, (J)not reluctantly or under compulsion, for (K)God loves a cheerful giver.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Corinthians 9:3 Or I have sent
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 Greek blessing; twice in this verse
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 Or a gift expecting something in return; Greek greed
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 Greek with blessings; twice in this verse
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
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