2 Corinthians 9

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 For concerning the ministry that is done towards the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.	1 About the help to God's holy people, there is real y no need 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 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.
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 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;
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 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.
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 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.
6 Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings.	6 But remember: anyone who sows sparsely wil reap sparsely as wel -- and anyone who sowsgenerously wil reap generously as wel .
7 Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.	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.
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 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.
9 As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.	9 As scripture says: To the needy he gave without stint, his uprightness stands firm for ever.
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 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:
11 That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.	11 you wil be rich enough in every way for every kind of generosity that makes people thank God forwhat we have done.
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 help provided by this contribution not only satisfies the needs of God's holy people, but alsooverflows into widespread 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 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 .
14 And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.	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.
15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.	15 Thanks be to God for his gift that is beyond all tel ing!