²For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia also is ready from the year past. And your emulation hath provoked very many.

³Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we boast of concerning you be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:

⁴Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in this matter.

⁵Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.

⁶Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings shall also reap blessings.

⁷Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

⁸And God is able to make all grace abound in you: that ye always, having all sufficiently in all things, may abound to every good work,

⁹As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.

¹⁰And he that ministereth seed to the sower will both give you bread to eat and will multiply your seed and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:

¹¹That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

¹²Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord.

¹³By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them and unto all.

¹⁴And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.

¹⁵Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

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