1
Forastouching the ministeringto the saints, it issuperfluous for me to write to you:
2
For I know the forwardness ofyourmind, for which I boastofyou to them of Macedonia,thatAchaia was ready a yearago;andyourzealhathprovoked very many.
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Yet have I sent the brethren,lestourboastingofyou should be in vaininthisbehalf;that,as I said, ye may beready:
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Lesthaplyif they of Macedoniacomewithme,andfindyouunprepared,we* (that we saynot, ye) should be ashamedin this sameconfidentboasting.
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Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren,that they would go beforeuntoyou,and make up beforehandyourbounty,[a] whereof ye had notice before, that the same might beready*, as a matter of bounty,andnotas of covetousness.
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Butthis I say, He which sowethsparingly shall reapalsosparingly;and he which sowethbountifullyshallreapalsobountifully*.
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Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; notgrudgingly*, orofnecessity:forGodloveth a cheerfulgiver.
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AndGod is able to makeallgraceaboundtowardyou;that ye, alwayshavingallsufficiencyinall things, may aboundtoeverygoodwork:
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(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor:hisrighteousnessremainethforever.
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Now he that ministerethseed to the sowerbothministerbreadfor your food,andmultiplyyour seed sown,andincrease the fruits of your righteousness;)
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Being enrichedin every thingtoallbountifulness,[b]whichcauseththroughusthanksgiving to God.
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For the administration of thisservicenotonlysupplieth* the want of the saints,but is abundantalsobymanythanksgivings unto God;
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Whiles by the experiment of thisministration they glorifyGodforyourprofessedsubjectionunto the gospel of Christ,and for your liberaldistributionuntothem,anduntoall men;
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And by theirprayerforyou, which long afteryoufor the exceedinggrace of Godinyou.