1Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you,
2for I know your eagerness, about which I boast on your behalf to the Macedonians, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.
3But I sent the brothers so that our boasting about you might not be emptied in this matter, so that, just as I was saying, you may be prepared;
4lest, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say you—would be put to shame in this confident undertaking.
5So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and to arrange in advance your previously promised blessing, so that it may be ready as a blessing and not as an extortion.
6Now this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows with blessings will also reap with blessings.
7Each one as he has purposed in his heart, not from grief or from compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in everything, always having all sufficiency, you may abound in every good work,
9as it is written: “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.”
10Now the one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and will increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces through us thanksgiving to God.
12For the ministry of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also overflows through many thanksgivings to God,
13through the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ and for the generosity of your fellowship toward them and toward all,
14while they also, in their prayer for you, long for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
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