1 And concerning the ministration by the saints, it would be superfluous for me to write to you:2 for I know the goodness of your mind; and therefore I gloried of you before the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath excited many.3 Yet I sent the brethren, lest the glorying with which we have gloried in you in regard to this matter, should prove vain; and that ye, as I said, may be ready;4 so that, if the Macedonians should come with me, and should find you unprepared, we-not to say, ye-should be put to shame for that glorying in which we gloried.5 Therefore I was careful to request these my brethren, to go before me unto you, that they might make up this benefaction, of which ye were advised long before to have it ready, as being a benefaction, and not a matter of cupidity.
6 6 And this : He that soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully, shall also reap bountifully. 7 Every man, according to his own views, not with sadness, not by constraint: for the Lord loveth a joyous giver.8 For it is in the power of God, to make all good abound to you, so that ye may have, at all times, and in every thing, what is sufficient for you; and may abound in every good work.9 As it is written, He hath dispersed and given to the poor; and his righteousness is established for ever.10 Now he that giveth seed to the sower, and bread for food, may he give and multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:11 so that in every thing, ye may be enriched unto all liberality, to the completion of our thanksgiving to God.12 For the performance of this ministration, not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is also rich in many thanksgivings to God.13 For on account of the test of this ministration, we glorify God, that ye do subject yourselves to the profession of the gospel of the Messiah, and that in your liberality, ye communicate with them and with all men:14 and they put up prayer for you, with much love, because of the abundance of the grace of God that is upon you.15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
