1 Indeed, concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you.

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2 For I know your eagerness, which I boast about on your behalf to the Macedonians, saying that Achaia has been prepared since last year. And your zeal has stirred up many others.

For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

3 But I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter might not be empty, so that you may be ready, just as I said.

Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4 Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we would be ashamed—not to mention you—in this confidence of boasting.

Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

5 So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go ahead to you and prepare in advance the generous gift you had promised, so that it may be ready as a blessing, and not as something given reluctantly.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6 Remember this: The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Each person should give as they have decided in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in every way, at all times, having all that you need, you may abound in every good work.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9 As it is written: 'He has scattered; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'

As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now the one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

11 You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12 For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13 Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with all.

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

14 And in their prayers for you, their hearts will go out to you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.

And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.