Read the Bible

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

¹ Now ^(a)it is superfluous for me to write to you about ^(b)the ministry for the saints, ² for I know your readiness, ^(c)of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready ^(d)since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. ³ But ^(e)I am sending^[a] the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, ^(f)as I said you would be. ⁴ Otherwise, if some Macedonians ^(g)come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. ⁵ So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the ^(h)gift^[b] you have promised, so that it may be ready ⁽ⁱ⁾as a willing gift, ^(j)not as an exaction.^[c]

The Cheerful Giver

⁶ The point is this: ^(k)whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully^[d] will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, ^(l)not reluctantly or under compulsion, for ^(m)God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And ⁽ⁿ⁾God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency^[e] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written,

¹⁰ He who supplies ^(p)seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and ^(q)increase the harvest of your righteousness. ^11 (r)You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which ^(s)through us will produce thanksgiving to God. ¹² For the ministry of this service is not only supplying ^(t)the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ¹³ By their approval of this service, ^(u)they^[f] will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your ^(v)confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, ¹⁴ while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. ^15 (w)Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!