The Message Bible MSG
The Latin Vulgate VUL
1 If I wrote any more on this relief offering for the poor Christians, I'd be repeating myself.
1
nam de ministerio quod fit in sanctos ex abundanti est mihi scribere vobis
2 I know you're on board and ready to go. I've been bragging about you all through Macedonia province, telling them, "Achaia province has been ready to go on this since last year." Your enthusiasm by now has spread to most of them.
2
scio enim promptum animum vestrum pro quo de vobis glorior apud Macedonas quoniam Achaia parata est ab anno praeterito et vestra aemulatio provocavit plurimos
3 Now I'm sending the brothers to make sure you're ready, as I said you would be, so my bragging won't turn out to be just so much hot air.
3
misi autem fratres ut ne quod gloriamur de vobis evacuetur in hac parte ut quemadmodum dixi parati sitis
4 If some Macedonians and I happened to drop in on you and found you weren't prepared, we'd all be pretty red-faced - you and us - for acting so sure of ourselves.
4
ne cum venerint mecum Macedones et invenerint vos inparatos erubescamus nos ut non dicamus vos in hac substantia
5 So to make sure there will be no slipup, I've recruited these brothers as an advance team to get you and your promised offering all ready before I get there. I want you to have all the time you need to make this offering in your own way. I don't want anything forced or hurried at the last minute.
5
necessarium ergo existimavi rogare fratres ut praeveniant ad vos et praeparent repromissam benedictionem hanc paratam esse sic quasi benedictionem non quasi avaritiam
6 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop.
6
hoc autem qui parce seminat parce et metet et qui seminat in benedictionibus de benedictionibus et metet
7 I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
7
unusquisque prout destinavit corde suo non ex tristitia aut ex necessitate hilarem enim datorem diligit Deus
8 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.
8
potens est autem Deus omnem gratiam abundare facere in vobis ut in omnibus semper omnem sufficientiam habentes abundetis in omne opus bonum
9 As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.
9
sicut scriptum est dispersit dedit pauperibus iustitia eius manet in aeternum
10 This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God,
10
qui autem administrat semen seminanti et panem ad manducandum praestabit et multiplicabit semen vestrum et augebit incrementa frugum iustitiae vestrae
11 wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.
11
ut in omnibus locupletati abundetis in omnem simplicitatem quae operatur per nos gratiarum actionem Deo
12 Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God.
12
quoniam ministerium huius officii non solum supplet ea quae desunt sanctis sed etiam abundat per multas gratiarum actiones in Domino
13 This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone.
13
per probationem ministerii huius glorificantes Deum in oboedientia confessionis vestrae in evangelium Christi et simplicitate communicationis in illos et in omnes
14 Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need.
14
et ipsorum obsecratione pro vobis desiderantium vos propter eminentem gratiam Dei in vobis
15 Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!
15
gratias Deo super inenarrabili dono eius
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.