9:1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the offering for the saints,
9:1 Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints,

9:2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedo'nia, saying that Acha'ia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
9:2 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.

9:3 But I am sending the brethren so that our boasting about you may not prove vain in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be;
9:3 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;

9:4 lest if some Macedo'nians come with me and find that you are not ready, we be humiliated -- to say nothing of you -- for being so confident.
9:4 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.

9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren to go on to you before me, and arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so that it may be ready not as an exaction but as a willing gift.
9:5 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.

9:6 The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
9:6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

9:7 Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
9:7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

9:8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.
9:8 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.

9:9 As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever."
9:9 As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."

9:10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
9:10 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.

9:11 You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God;
9:11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us;

9:12 for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God.
9:12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.

9:13 Under the test of this service, you will glorify God by your obedience in acknowledging the gospel of Christ, and by the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others;
9:13 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,

9:14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
9:14 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you.

9:15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!