Chapter 9
1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
2 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 .
3 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 ,
4 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 .
5 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 .
6 Remember this : he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly . He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully .
7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart , not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver .
8 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 .
9 As it is written , " He has scattered abroad . He has given to the poor . His righteousness remains forever ."
10 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 ,
11 you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us .
12 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 ,
13 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 ,
14 while they themselves also , with supplication on your behalf , yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you .
15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift !