2 Corinthians 9

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 For concerning the ministry that is done towards the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.	1 Now about the service to the holy ones, it is superfluous for me to write to you,
2 For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you to the Macedonians. That Achaia also is ready from the year past, and your emulation hath provoked very many.	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.
3 Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we boast of concerning you, be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:	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,
4 Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in this matter.	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.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before, and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.	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.
6 Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings.	6 Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.	7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound in you; that ye always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work,	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.
9 As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.	9 As it is written: "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
10 And he that ministereth seed to the sower, will both give you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:	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.
11 That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.	11 You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God,
12 Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord,	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.
13 By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them, and unto all.	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,
14 And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.	14 while in prayer on your behalf they long for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.	15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!