Book of Common Prayer

In this chapter he does the same that he did in the chapter going before; that is, moves them to help the poor brethren in Jerusalem.

9 Of the ministering to the saints, it is more than I need do to write to you. ² For I know your readiness of mind, of which I boast to the Macedonians, and say that Achaia was prepared a year ago, and your ferventness has inspired many. ³ Nevertheless, I have sent these brethren lest our boasting over you should be in vain in this respect, and so that you (as I have said) will prepare yourselves – ⁴ lest perhaps, if some of the Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, the boast I made in this matter should be an embarrassment to us, not to mention to you.

⁵ Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go beforehand to you, to arrange for the good blessing you promised earlier, so it could be ready – so that it is a blessing, and not a defrauding. ⁶ Remember this: he who sows little will reap little, and he who sows plentifully will reap plentifully. ⁷ And let every person do as he has purposed in his heart – not grudgingly, or under constraint. For God loves a cheerful giver.

⁸ God is able to make you rich in all grace, so that you, in all things having sufficient to the utmost, may be rich for all manner of good works. ⁹ As it is written: He who dispersed abroad and has given to the poor, his righteousness remains forever.

¹⁰ He who gives the sower seed will provide bread for food, and will multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, ¹¹ so that in everything you may be made rich, in all generosity – which raises through us thanksgiving to God. ¹² For the work of this ministry not only supplies the need of the saints, but is also fruitful in that for this laudable ministering, thanks may be given to God by many, ¹³ who glorify God for the obedience of your profession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in distributing to them and to all people. ¹⁴ And in their prayers to God for you they long after you, for the abundant grace of God given to you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.

¹⁵ They brought to him also babes, so that he could touch them. When his disciples saw that, they rebuked the people. ¹⁶ But Jesus called them to him and said, Allow the children to come to me, and do not forbid them. For of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁷ Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child, he shall not enter therein.

¹⁸ And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what ought I to do to obtain eternal life? ¹⁹ Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? None is good, save God only. ²⁰ You know the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honour your father and your mother.

²¹ And he said, All these I have kept from my youth.

²² When Jesus heard that, he said to him, You lack yet one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, and follow me.

²³ When the man heard that, he was downcast, for he was very rich.

²⁴ When Jesus saw him grieve, he said, With what difficulty do those who have riches enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. ²⁶ Then said those who heard that, And who then can be saved? ²⁷ And he said, Things that are impossible with men, are possible with God.

²⁸ Then Peter said, Lo, we have left everything and have followed you. ²⁹ And he said to them, Truly I say to you, there is no man who leaves house, or father and mother, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, ³⁰ who will not receive much more in this world, and in the world to come, everlasting life.