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¹ For as concerning the service to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:² for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past; and your zeal has stirred up very many of them.³ But I have sent the brothers, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, you may be prepared:⁴ lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we- not to mention you-should be put to shame in this confidence.⁵ I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers, that they would go before to you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

⁶ But this [I say,] He that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.⁷ [Let] each man [do] according to as he has purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you; that you, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work:⁹ as it is written, He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor; His righteousness abides forever.¹⁰ And he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:¹¹ you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.¹² For the providing of this service of the ministry not only fills up the measure of the wants of the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God;¹³ seeing that through the proving [of you] by this service they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of [your] contribution to them and to all;¹⁴ while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.