2 Corinthians

幫助聖徒的捐款

1論到供給聖徒的事，我不必寫信給你們；

2因為我知道你們樂意的心，常對馬其頓人誇獎你們，說亞該亞人預備好了，已經有一年了；並且你們的熱心激動了許多人。

3但我打發那幾位弟兄去，要叫你們照我的話預備妥當，免得我們在這事上誇獎你們的話落了空。

4萬一有馬其頓人與我同去，見你們沒有預備，就叫我們所確信的，反成了羞愧；你們羞愧，更不用說了。

5因此，我想不得不求那幾位弟兄先到你們那裏去，把從前所應許的捐資預備妥當，就顯出你們所捐的是出於樂意，不是出於勉強。

6「少種的少收，多種的多收」，這話是真的。

7各人要隨本心所酌定的，不要作難，不要勉強，因為捐得樂意的人是上帝所喜愛的。

8上帝能將各樣的恩惠多多地加給你們，使你們凡事常常充足，能多行各樣善事。

9如經上所記：他施捨錢財，賙濟貧窮； 他的仁義存到永遠。

10那賜種給撒種的，賜糧給人吃的，必多多加給你們種地的種子，又增添你們仁義的果子；

11叫你們凡事富足，可以多多施捨，就藉着我們使感謝歸於上帝。

12因為辦這供給的事，不但補聖徒的缺乏，而且叫許多人越發感謝上帝。

13他們從這供給的事上得了憑據，知道你們承認基督順服他的福音，多多地捐錢給他們和眾人，便將榮耀歸與上帝。

14他們也因上帝極大的恩賜顯在你們心裏，就切切地想念你們，為你們祈禱。

15感謝上帝，因他有說不盡的恩賜！

1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2For 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.

3Yet 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:

4Lest 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.

5Therefore 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.

6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8And 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.

10Now 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;)

11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13Whiles 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;

14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.