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1 Now it is not necessary for
me to write you about the ministry to the saints, 2 for I know your
eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people
of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and
your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers
in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in
this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be; 4
otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not
ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking.
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you,
and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised,
so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion.
6 The point is this: the one
who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of you must give as you
have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every
blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything,
you may share abundantly in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He
scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures
forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will
supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of
your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great
generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12 for
the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints
but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13 Through the
testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the
confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing
with them and with all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for
you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
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