The Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians |
| | | IX |
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| [1] | FOR as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: |
| [2] | for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your 1 zeal hath stirred up very 2 many of them. |
| [3] | But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared: |
| [4] | lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. |
| [5] | I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, 3 that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion. 4 |
| [6] | But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully 5 shall reap also bountifully. 6 |
| [7] | Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart; not grudgingly, 7 or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. |
| [8] | And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: |
| [9] | as it is written,| | He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; |
| His righteousness abideth for ever. |
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| [10] | And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: |
| [11] | ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, 8 which worketh through us thanksgiving to God. |
| [12] | For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God; |
| [13] | seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel 9 of Christ, and for the liberality 10 of your contribution unto them and unto all; |
| [14] | while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. |
| [15] | Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. |
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