2 Corinthians 9
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
Now ait is superfluous for me to write to you about bthe ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, aof which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready bsince last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But aI am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, bas I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians acome with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the agift you have promised, so that it may be ready bas a willing gift, cnot as an exaction.
The Cheerful Giver
6 The point is this: awhoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, anot reluctantly or under compulsion, for bGod loves a cheerful giver. 8 And aGod is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
a“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies aseed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and bincrease the harvest of your righteousness. 11 aYou will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which bthrough us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying athe needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, athey will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your bconfession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 aThanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.