2 Corinthians 9

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Now about the service to the holy ones, it is superfluous for me to write to you,	1 Now, concerning the ministry that is done toward the saints, it is not necessary for me to write to you.
2 for I know your eagerness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.	2 For I know your willing mind. I glory about you, concerning this, to the Macedonians. For Achaia has also been prepared, for the past year. And your example has inspired very many others.
3 Nonetheless, I sent the brothers so that our boast about you might not prove empty in this case, so that you might be ready, as I said,	3 Now I have sent the brothers, so that what we glory about concerning you might be not be empty in this matter, in order that (as I have explained) you may be prepared.
4 for fear that if any Macedonians come with me and find you not ready we might be put to shame (to say nothing of you) in this conviction.	4 Otherwise, if the Macedonians arrive with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be ashamed in this matter.
5 So I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for your promised gift, so that in this way it might be ready as a bountiful gift and not as an exaction.	5 Therefore, I considered it necessary to ask the brothers to go to you in advance and to prepare this blessing as promised, and in this way, you may be ready as a blessing, not as an excess.
6 Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.	6 But I say this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And whoever sows with blessings shall also reap from blessings:
7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.	7 each one giving, just as he has determined in his heart, neither out of sadness, nor out of obligation. For God loves a cheerful giver.
8 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.	8 And God is able to make every grace abound in you, so that, always having what you need in all things, you may abound unto every good work,
9 As it is written: "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."	9 just as it was written: “He has distributed widely, he has given to the poor; his justice remains from age to age.”
10 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.	10 And he who ministers seed to the sower will offer you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and will increase the growth of the fruits of your justice.
11 You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God,	11 So then, having been enriched in all things, you may abound in all simplicity, which works thanksgiving to God through us.
12 for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.	12 For the ministration of this office not only supplies whatever the saints need, but also abounds through many thanksgivings in the Lord.
13 Through the evidence of this service, you are glorifying God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your contribution to them and to all others,	13 And so, through the evidence of this ministry, you glorify God by the obedience of your confession in the Gospel of Christ, and by the simplicity of your communion with them and with everyone,
14 while in prayer on your behalf they long for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.	14 and they offer prayers for you, being solicitous about you, because of the excellent grace of God within you.
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!	15 Thanks be to God for his ineffable gift.