1Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,2for I know your readiness, of which I boast 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.3But I am sending* the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.4Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident.5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift* you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.*
The Cheerful Giver
6The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully* will also reap bountifully.7Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8And God 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.9As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”10He 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.11You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.12For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.13By their approval of this service, they* will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,14while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.15Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
圣经当代译本修订版
1关于捐助圣徒的事，其实我不必再写信提醒你们，2因我知道你们的热心。我向马其顿教会的人夸耀你们，说亚该亚人的捐款在一年前就预备好了，你们的热心激励了许多人。3现在我先派这几位弟兄到你们那里，以便你们把捐款预备好，正如我所说的那样，免得我们在这件事上夸耀你们的话成了虚言。4因为万一有马其顿的人与我同去，发现你们并没有准备好，不但我们会因如此信任你们而羞愧，你们也会无地自容。5因此，我认为有必要请那几位弟兄先去你们那里，将你们从前认捐的款项收集妥当，这样就表明你们的捐赠是出于甘心乐意，而不是出于勉强。