| 1 | For as touching the ministering to the saints , it is superfluous for me to write to you : |
| 2 | For I know the forwardness of your mind , for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia , that Achaia was ready a year ago ; and your zeal hath provoked very many . |
| 3 | Yet have I sent the brethren , lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf ; that , as I said , ye may be ready : |
| 4 | Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me , and find you unprepared , we (that we say not , ye ) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting . |
| 5 | Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren , that they would go before unto you , and make up beforehand your bounty , whereof ye had notice before , that the same might be ready , as [a matter of] bounty , and not as [of] covetousness . |
| 6 | But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly ; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully . |
| 7 | Every man according as he purposeth in his heart , [so let him give]; not grudgingly , or of necessity : for God loveth a cheerful giver . |
| 8 | And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you ; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work : |
| 9 | (As it is written , He hath dispersed abroad ; he hath given to the poor : his righteousness remaineth for ever . |
| 10 | Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food , and multiply your seed sown , and increase the fruits of your righteousness ;) |
| 11 | Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness , which causeth through us thanksgiving to God . |
| 12 | For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints , but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God ; |
| 13 | Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ , and for [your] liberal distribution unto them , and unto all [men]; |
| 14 | And by their prayer for you , which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you . |
| 15 | Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift . |
