The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
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for I know your readiness, 3of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready 4since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.
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But 5I am sendinga the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, 6as I said you would be.
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Otherwise, if some Macedonians 7come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated--to say nothing of you--for being so confident.
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So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the 8giftb you have promised, so that it may be ready 9as a willing gift, 10not as an exaction.c
The Cheerful Giver
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The point is this: 11whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifullyd will also reap bountifully.
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Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, 12not reluctantly or under compulsion, for 13God loves a cheerful giver.
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And 14God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiencye in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
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As it is written, 15"He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
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He who supplies 16seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and 17increase the harvest of your righteousness.
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18You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which 19through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
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For the ministry of this service is not only supplying 20the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
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By their approval of this service, 21theyf will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your 22confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,
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while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
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23Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)