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2 Corinthians

Paul defends his apostleship and teaches on the power of God in weakness and the importance of generous giving.

Chapter 9

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1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

*Regarding helping the believers, there's no need for me to tell you about it because it's unnecessary.

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.

*I know how eager you are in your thinking, and I have told the people of Macedonia about it. They know that Achaia was ready a year ago, and because of your enthusiasm, many others have become excited too.

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:

*I sent other believers so that our praise for you is not empty. This way, like I mentioned before, you will always be prepared.

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.

*So that if the people from Macedonia come with me and find you not ready, we won't be embarrassed by our proud talk.

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.

*So, I decided it was important to encourage my friends to prepare your generous gift ahead of time, so you could give it willingly, not because they wanted to be greedy.

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

*But this is my message: Those who plant little will harvest little, while those who plant generously will also harvest generously.

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.

*Men should give based on their intentions, not reluctantly or out of obligation; because God prefers happy donors.

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:

*God can give you lots of grace, so you have everything you need. With that, you can do many good things.

9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

*As written, he scattered widely; he gave to the needy; his fairness lasts forever.

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;)

*Now, the one who gives seeds to the farmer also provides food from the harvest and multiplies your planted seeds, increasing the fruits of your good actions.

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

*Having everything abundantly, we give generously, causing people to thank God for it all.

12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

*This verse means that the management of this service not only meets the needs of the believers, but also results in many expressions of gratitude to 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;

*While through this ministry's test, they praise God for your commitment to the teachings of Christ and your generous giving to them and everyone else.

14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

*Through their prayers for you, they eagerly seek the extraordinary grace of God in your life.

15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

*Thank you to God for his amazing present that cannot be put into words.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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