Chapter 9

  For, indeed, concerning the ministration that [is] for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you,  

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  for I have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia hath been prepared a year ago, and the zeal of you did stir up the more part,  

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  and I sent the brethren, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made vain in this respect; that, according as I said, ye may be ready,  

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  lest if Macedonians may come with me, and find you unprepared, we -- we may be put to shame (that we say not -- ye) in this same confidence of boasting.  

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  Necessary, therefore, I thought [it] to exhort the brethren, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness.  

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  And this: He who is sowing sparingly, sparingly also shall reap; and he who is sowing in blessings, in blessings also shall reap;  

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  each one, according as he doth purpose in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for a cheerful giver doth God love,  

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  and God [is] able all grace to cause to abound to you, that in every thing always all sufficiency having, ye may abound to every good work,  

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  (according as it hath been written, 'He dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness doth remain to the age,')  

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  and may He who is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,  

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  in every thing being enriched to all liberality, which doth work through us thanksgiving to God,  

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  because the ministration of this service not only is supplying the wants of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God,  

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  through the proof of this ministration glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ, and [for] the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all,  

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  and by their supplication in your behalf, longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God upon you;  

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  thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift!  

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