New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints,
1
But there is no need for me to say anything in my letter about the giving to the saints:
2 for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
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For I have before made clear to those of Macedonia my pride in your ready mind, saying to them that Achaia has been ready for a year back; and a great number have been moved to do the same by your example.
3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be;
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But I have sent the brothers, so that the good things we said about you may be seen to be true, and that, as I said, you may be ready:
4 otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking.
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For fear that, if any from Macedonia come with me, and you are not ready, we (not to say, you) might be put to shame in this thing.
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion.
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So it seemed to me wise for the brothers to go before, and see that the amount which you had undertaken to give was ready, so that it might be a cause for praise, and not as if we were making profit out of you.
6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
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But in the Writings it says, He who puts in only a small number of seeds, will get in the same; and he who puts them in from a full hand, will have produce in full measure from them.
7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
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Let every man do after the purpose of his heart; not giving with grief, or by force: for God takes pleasure in a ready giver.
8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
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And God is able to give you all grace in full measure; so that ever having enough of all things, you may be full of every good work:
9 As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
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As it is said in the Writings, He has sent out far and wide, he has given to the poor; his righteousness is for ever.
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
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And he who gives seed for putting into the field and bread for food, will take care of the growth of your seed, at the same time increasing the fruits of your righteousness;
11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us;
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Your wealth being increased in everything, with a simple mind, causing praise to God through us.
12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.
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For this work of giving not only takes care of the needs of the saints, but is the cause of much praise to God;
13 Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others,
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For when, through this work of giving, they see what you are, they give glory to God for the way in which you have given yourselves to the good news of Christ, and for the wealth of your giving to them and to all;
14 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you.
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While their hearts go out to you in love and in prayer for you, because of the great grace of God which is in you.
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
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Praise be to God for what he has given, which words have no power to say.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.