The Darby Translation DBY
New Century Version NCV
1 For concerning the ministration which [is] for the saints, it is superfluous my writing to you.
1
I really do not need to write you about this help for God's people.
2 For I know your readiness, which I boast of as respects you to Macedonians, that Achaia is prepared since a year ago, and the zeal [reported] of you has stimulated the mass [of the brethren].
2
I know you want to help. I have been bragging about this to the people in Macedonia, telling them that you in Southern Greece have been ready to give since last year. And your desire to give has made most of them ready to give also.
3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect, in order that, as I have said, ye may be prepared;
3
But I am sending the brothers to you so that our bragging about you in this will not be empty words. I want you to be ready, as I said you would be.
4 lest haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, *we*, that we say not *ye*, may be put to shame in this confidence.
4
If any of the people from Macedonia come with me and find that you are not ready, we will be ashamed that we were so sure of you. (And you will be ashamed, too!)
5 I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you, and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you.
5
So I thought I should ask these brothers to go to you before we do. They will finish getting in order the generous gift you promised so it will be ready when we come. And it will be a generous gift -- not one that you did not want to give.
6 But this [is true], he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in [the spirit of] blessing shall reap also in blessing:
6
Remember this: The person who plants a little will have a small harvest, but the person who plants a lot will have a big harvest.
7 each according as he is purposed in his heart; not grievingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
7
Each one should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily.
8 But God is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you, that, having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work:
8
And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything -- enough to give to every good work.
9 according as it is written, He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains for ever.
9
It is written in the Scriptures: "He gives freely to the poor. The things he does are right and will continue forever."
10 Now he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:
10
God is the One who gives seed to the farmer and bread for food. He will give you all the seed you need and make it grow so there will be a great harvest from your goodness.
11 enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
11
He will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. And your giving through us will cause many to give thanks to God.
12 Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God;
12
This service you do not only helps the needs of God's people, it also brings many more thanks to God.
13 they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration, by reason of your subjection, by profession, to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all;
13
It is a proof of your faith. Many people will praise God because you obey the Good News of Christ -- the gospel you say you believe -- and because you freely share with them and with all others.
14 and in their supplication for you, full of ardent desire for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God [which is] upon you.
14
And when they pray, they will wish they could be with you because of the great grace that God has given you.
15 Thanks [be] to God for his unspeakable free gift.
15
Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.