1About the help being sent to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2For I know how willing you are. I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, telling them that Achaia was ready a year ago. Your eagerness has stirred up very many of them.
3Still, I have sent the brothers, so that our boasting about you in this matter may not prove empty. I want you to be ready, just as I said you would be.
4For if any of the Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we would be ashamed of having been so confident - and you would be ashamed too.
5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you. They will get your generous gift ready beforehand, the gift you promised earlier. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, and not as something squeezed out of you.
6But I say this: whoever sows little will also reap little, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7Each one should give as he has decided in his heart. He should not give with regret, or because he must, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to pour out every kind of grace upon you, so that you will always have all you need in everything, and plenty left over for every good work.
9As it is written, "He has scattered his gifts widely; he has given to the poor: his righteousness lasts for ever."
10Now he who supplies seed to the sower will also supply bread for your food. He will multiply the seed you have sown, and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11You will be made rich in every way, so that you can be generous in every way. And through us your giving brings thanksgiving to God.
12For the carrying out of this service does more than supply what the saints need. It also overflows in many thanksgivings to God.
13Through the proof this service gives, they praise God. They glorify him because you obey the gospel of Christ, as you say you do, and because you share so generously with them and with everyone.
14And they pray for you, longing for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
15Thanks be to God for his gift, which is too wonderful for words.