The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 9 -

(1 Corinthians 16:1–4)

Concerning the ministry for the believers, it is not necessary for me to write to you.

I know about your desire, which I boasted about to the people of Macedonia. I told them that Achaia has been getting ready since last year. Your eagerness has motivated most of them to action.

Now I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you may not be futile, and so that you would be ready, as I said you would be.

Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we would be ashamed-I say nothing about you-for being so confident in you.

So I thought it was necessary to urge the brothers to come to you and to make arrangements in advance for the gift you have promised. This is so that it might be ready as a blessing, and not as something extorted.

The point is this: The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows for the purpose of a blessing will also reap a blessing.

Let each one give as he has planned in his heart. Let him not give out of sorrow or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make every blessing multiply for you, so that, always, in all things, you may have all you need. This will be so that you may multiply every good deed.

It is as it is written: "He has distributed his riches and given them to the poor. His righteousness lasts forever.”

He who supplies seed to the farmer who sows and bread for food, will also supply and multiply your seed for sowing. He will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

You will be enriched in every way so you can be generous. This will bring about thanksgiving to God through us.

For carrying out this service not only meets the needs of the believers. It also multiplies into many acts of thanksgiving to God.

Because of your being tested and proved by this service, you will also glorify God by obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ. You will also glorify God by the generosity of your gift to them and to everyone.

They long for you, and they are praying for you. They do this because of the very great grace of God that is on you.

May thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

(1 Corinthians 16:1–4)

It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,

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.

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,

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.

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.

Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

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.

As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”(a)

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,

you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

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,

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,

while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

Footnotes

(a)9:9 ℘ Psalms 112:9