The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

⭑ Literal Standard Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 9 -

(1 Corinthians 16:1–4)

For indeed, concerning the ministry that [is] for the holy ones, it is superfluous for me to write to you,

for I have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared a year ago, and your zeal stirred up the greater part,

and I sent the brothers, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made vain in this respect; that, according as I said, you may be ready,

lest if Macedonians may come with me, and find you unprepared, we may be put to shame (that we do not say—you) in this same confidence of boasting.

Therefore I thought [it] necessary to exhort the brothers, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness.

And [remember] this: he who is sowing sparingly, will also reap sparingly; and he who is sowing in blessings, will also reap in blessings;

each one, according as he purposes in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver,

and God [is] able to cause all grace to abound to you, that in everything always having all sufficiency, you may abound to every good work,

according as it has been written: “He dispersed abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness remains throughout the age,”

and may He who is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

being enriched to all liberality in everything, which works thanksgiving through us to God,

because the ministry of this service not only is supplying the wants of the holy ones, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

through the proof of this ministry glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ, and [for] the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all,

and by their supplication in your behalf, longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God on you;

thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift!

(1 Corinthians 16:1–4)

It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,

for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.

But I have sent the brothers so that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,

lest by any means, if anyone from Macedonia comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) would be disappointed in this confident boasting.

I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.

Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”(a)

Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God,

seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all,

while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

Footnotes

(a)9:9 ℘ Psalms 112:9