2 CorinthiansChapter 9
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1I don't need to write to you about this gift for God's people. 2I know how eager you are to help. I have been bragging about you to the people of Macedonia. I told them that you in Achaia have been ready to give since last year. And your excitement has stirred most of them to give too. 3But I am sending the brothers to you. I don't want our bragging about you in this matter to turn out to be empty. I want you to be ready, just as I said you would be. 4Some people from Macedonia may come with me and find that you are not ready. Then we would be ashamed of having been so sure of you. And you would be ashamed even more. 5So I thought I should ask the brothers to visit you before I come. They will get ready the generous gift you promised. Then it will be ready as a gift given freely, not one given unwillingly. 6Remember this. Whoever plants only a little will also harvest only a little. And whoever plants a lot will also harvest a lot. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. Don't give with regret or because you are forced to. For God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to give you more grace than you need. Then in all things and at all times you will have all you need. And you will have plenty to give to every good work. 9It is written,
"He has scattered his gifts to the poor.
His righteousness lasts forever." 10God gives seed to the farmer and bread for food. He will also give you seed and make it grow more and more. He will make the harvest of your right living grow larger. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can give freely every time. And through us, your giving will cause people to thank God. 12This work of serving does more than meet the needs of God's people. It also overflows in many thanks to God. 13This work proves what you are. So God's people will praise God for it. They will praise him because you obey what you say you believe about the good news of Christ. And they will praise him because you share so freely with them and with everyone else. 14They will pray for you and show how much they love you. They will do this because of the great grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!