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Chapter 9 |
1 |
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to
write to you: |
2 | For I
know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of
Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very
many. |
3 | Yet have I sent
the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that,
as I said, ye may be ready: |
4 |
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we
(that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. |
5 | Therefore I thought it
necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make
up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be
ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. |
6 | But this I say, He which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap
also bountifully. |
7 | Every
man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or
of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
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8 | And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;
that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good
work: |
9 | (As it is
written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness
remaineth for ever.
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10 |
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food,
and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your
righteousness;) |
11 | Being
enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us
thanksgiving to God. |
12 |
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the
saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; |
13 | Whiles by the experiment of this
ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of
Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; |
14 | And by their prayer for you,
which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. |
15 | Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable
gift. |