2 Corinthians 9

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 About the help to God's holy people, there is real y no need 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 am well aware of your enthusiasm, and I have been boasting of it to the Macedonians that 'Achaiahas been ready for a year'; your enthusiasm has been a spur to many others.	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 Al the same, I have sent the brothers, to make sure that our boast about you may not prove hol ow inthis respect and that you may be ready, as I said you would be;	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 so that if by chance some of the Macedonians came with me and found you unprepared we -- to saynothing of yourselves -- would not be put to shame by our confidence in you.	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 have thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go to you ahead of us and make sure inadvance of the gift that you have already promised, so that it is al at hand as a real gift and not an imposition.	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 But remember: anyone who sows sparsely wil reap sparsely as wel -- and anyone who sowsgenerously wil reap generously as wel .	6 But I say this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And whoever sows with blessings shall also reap from blessings:
7 Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or undercompulsion, 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 God is perfectly able to enrich you with every grace, so that you always have enough for everyconceivable need, and your resources overflow in al kinds of 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 scripture says: To the needy he gave without stint, his uprightness stands firm for ever.	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 so freely provides seed for the sower and food to eat will provide you with ample store ofseed for sowing and make the harvest of your uprightness a bigger one:	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 wil be rich enough in every way for every kind of generosity that makes people thank God forwhat we have done.	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 help provided by this contribution not only satisfies the needs of God's holy people, but alsooverflows into widespread 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 because when you have proved your quality by this help, they wil give glory to God for the obediencewhich you show in professing the gospel of Christ, as well as for the generosity of your fel owship towards themand towards al .	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 At the same time, their prayer for you wil express the affection they feel for you because of theunbounded grace God has given 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 gift that is beyond all tel ing!	15 Thanks be to God for his ineffable gift.