1 For concerning the ministry to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;
2 for I know your readiness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
3 But I have sent the brothers, so that our boasting about you might not prove empty in this matter, so that, as I said, you may be ready;
4 lest, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be put to shame in this confident boasting.
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your blessing announced beforehand, so that it may be ready as a blessing and not as a matter of covetousness.
6 But this I say: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Let each one give 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 toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound for every good work;
9 as it is written, "He scattered, he gave to the poor; his righteousness abides forever."
10 Now may he who supplies seed to the sower supply bread for eating, and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the produce of your righteousness,
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.
12 For the ministration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God,
13 since through the proof given by this ministry they glorify God for the submission that your confession shows to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your fellowship with them and with all,
14 while they, in their prayer for you, long for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable free gift.