24<THE> THEREFORE THE PROOF OF THE LOVE OF YOU AND OF OUR BOASTING ABOUT YOU TO THEM IS SHOWING AND IN FACE OF THE CHURCHES. 24In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.
1CONCERNING NOW FOR THE SERVICE <THE> FOR THE SAINTS EXCESSIVE FOR ME IT IS <THE> TO WRITE TO YOU; God Loves a Cheerful Giver (1 Corinthians 16:1–4) 1Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2I KNOW FOR THE READINESS OF YOU WHICH CONCERNING YOU I BOAST OF TO MACEDONIANS, THAT ACHAIA HAS PREPARED ITSELF FROM A YEAR AGO, AND <THE> FROM YOUR ZEAL HAS BEEN PROVOKING THE GREATER NUMBER. 2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
3I HAVE SENT HOWEVER THE BROTHERS, THAT NOT THE BOASTING OF US WHICH [IS] ABOUT YOU MAY BE MADE VOID IN <THE> MATTER THIS, THAT EVEN AS I WAS SAYING HAVING PREPARED YOURSELVES YOU MAY BE, 3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
4LEST PERHAPS MAYBE SHALL COME WITH ME MYSELF MACEDONIANS AND SHALL FIND YOU UNPREPARED, SHALL BE PUT TO SHAME WE OURSELVES — THAT NOT I MAY SAY YOU YOURSELVES — IN <THE> CONFIDENCE THIS <THE> OF BOASTING. 4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we— to say nothing of you— would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5NECESSARY THEREFORE I ESTEEMED [IT] TO EXHORT THE BROTHERS THAT THEY MAY GO BEFORE INTO YOU AND MAY COMPLETE BEFOREHAND THE HAVING PRE-PROMISED BLESSING OF YOU THIS READY TO BE THUS AS A BLESSING AND NOT AS COVETOUSNESS. 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
6THIS NOW: THE [ONE] SOWING SPARINGLY SPARINGLY ALSO WILL REAP, AND THE [ONE] SOWING UPON BLESSINGS UPON BLESSINGS ALSO WILL REAP. 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7EACH EVEN AS HE HIMSELF HAS PURPOSED IN THE HEART, NOT OUT OF REGRET OR OF NECESSITY; A CHEERFUL FOR GIVER LOVES <THE> GOD. 7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.*NoteCloseSee Proverbs 22:8, LXX addition.
8IS ABLE NOW <THE> GOD ALL GRACE TO MAKE ABOUND TO YOU, SO THAT IN EVERY [WAY] ALWAYS ALL SUFFICIENCY HAVING YOU MAY ABOUND IN EVERY WORK GOOD 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9EVEN AS IT HAS BEEN WRITTEN: HE HAS SCATTERED ABROAD, HE HAS GIVEN TO THE POOR, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF HIM ABIDES TO THE AGE. 9As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever*NoteClosePsalm 112:9
10THE [ONE] NOW SUPPLYING SEED TO HIM SOWING AND BREAD FOR FOOD WILL SUPPLY AND WILL MULTIPLY THE SEED FOR SOWING OF YOU AND WILL INCREASE THE FRUITS OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF YOU. 10Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11IN EVERY [WAY] ENRICHING YOU TO ALL GENEROSITY, WHICH PRODUCES THROUGH US THANKSGIVING <THE> TO GOD, 11You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
12FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE SERVICE THIS NOT ONLY IS COMPLETELY FILLING UP THE NEEDS OF THE SAINTS BUT ALSO IS OVERFLOWING THROUGH MANY THANKSGIVINGS <THE> TO GOD; 12For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
13THROUGH THE PROOF OF THE SERVICE THIS [THEY] GLORIFYING <THE> GOD AT THE SUBMISSION OF THE OF CONFESSION OF YOU TO THE GOSPEL <THE> OF CHRIST AND TO [THE] GENEROSITY OF THE PARTICIPATION TOWARD THEM AND TOWARD ALL, 13Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
14AND BY THEIR SUPPLICATION FOR YOU A LONGING FOR YOU ON ACCOUNT OF THE SURPASSING GRACE <THE> OF GOD UPON YOU. 14And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15THANKS [BE] NOW <THE> TO GOD FOR THE INDESCRIBABLE OF HIM GIFT! 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!