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2 Corinthians 7-9
American Standard Version

7 1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 [a]Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man. 3 I say it not to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die together and live together. 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction.

5 For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6 Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by the [b]coming of Titus; 7 and not by his [c]coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more. 8 For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret it [d](for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season), 9 I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance [e]unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter. 12 So although I wrote unto you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God. 13 Therefore we have been comforted: and in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all. 14 For if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spake all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth. 15 And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. 16 I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.

8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; 2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their [f]liberality. 3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, 4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints: 5 and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also. 7 But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in [g]your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich. 10 And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. 11 But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not. 13 For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed; 14 but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality: 15 as it is written, [h]He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.

16 But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the [i]gospel is spread through all the churches; 19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness: 20 avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us: 21 for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you. 23 Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, they are the [j]messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ. 24 [k]Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.

9 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and [l]your zeal hath stirred up [m]very many of them. 3 But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared: 4 lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. 5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised [n]bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of [o]extortion.

6 But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth [p]bountifully shall reap also [q]bountifully. 7 Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not [r]grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: 9 as it is written,

[s]He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor;
His righteousness abideth for ever.

10 And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: 11 ye being enriched in everything unto all [t]liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God; 13 seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the [u]gospel of Christ, and for the [v]liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all; 14 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 7:2 Greek Make room for us.
  2. 2 Corinthians 7:6 Greek presence. Compare 2 Th. 2:9.
  3. 2 Corinthians 7:7 Greek presence. Compare 2 Th. 2:9.
  4. 2 Corinthians 7:8 Some ancient authorities omit for.
  5. 2 Corinthians 7:10 Or, unto a salvation which bringeth no regret
  6. 2 Corinthians 8:2 Greek singleness. See Rom. 12:8.
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some ancient authorities read our love to you.
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Ex. 16:18.
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:18 See marginal note on 2:12.
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Greek apostles.
  11. 2 Corinthians 8:24 Or, Show ye therefore in the face . . . on your behalf unto them.
  12. 2 Corinthians 9:2 Or, emulation of you
  13. 2 Corinthians 9:2 Greek the more part.
  14. 2 Corinthians 9:5 Greek blessing.
  15. 2 Corinthians 9:5 Or, covetousness
  16. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Greek with blessings. Compare verse 5.
  17. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Greek with blessings. Compare verse 5.
  18. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Greek of sorrow.
  19. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Ps. 112:9.
  20. 2 Corinthians 9:11 Greek singleness. Compare 8:2.
  21. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Greek good tidings. See marginal note on 2:12.
  22. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Greek singleness. Compare 8:2.
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2 Corinthians 7-9
New International Version

7 Therefore, since we have these promises,(A) dear friends,(B) let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness(C) out of reverence for God.

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

2 Make room for us in your hearts.(D) We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts(E) that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.(F) I am greatly encouraged;(G) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.(H)

5 For when we came into Macedonia,(I) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn(J)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.(K) 6 But God, who comforts the downcast,(L) comforted us by the coming of Titus,(M) 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,(N) I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation(O) and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,(P) what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you,(Q) it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong(R) nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus(S) was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you,(T) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus(U) has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient,(V) receiving him with fear and trembling.(W) 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.(X)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian(Y) churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(Z) 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(AA) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(AB) in this service(AC) to the Lord’s people.(AD) 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged(AE) Titus,(AF) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion(AG) this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything(AH)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,(AI) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you,(AJ) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace(AK) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(AL) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(AM) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(AN)

10 And here is my judgment(AO) about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.(AP) 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness(AQ) to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,(AR) not according to what one does not have.

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,(AS) so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”[b](AT)

Titus Sent to Receive the Collection

16 Thanks be to God,(AU) who put into the heart(AV) of Titus(AW) the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.(AX) 18 And we are sending along with him the brother(AY) who is praised by all the churches(AZ) for his service to the gospel.(BA) 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us(BB) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.(BC) 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.(BD)

22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus,(BE) he is my partner(BF) and co-worker(BG) among you; as for our brothers,(BH) they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,(BI) so that the churches can see it.

9 There is no need(BJ) for me to write to you about this service(BK) to the Lord’s people.(BL) 2 For I know your eagerness to help,(BM) and I have been boasting(BN) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year(BO) you in Achaia(BP) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers(BQ) in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.(BR) 4 For if any Macedonians(BS) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers(BT) to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift,(BU) not as one grudgingly given.(BV)

Generosity Encouraged

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.(BW) 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,(BX) not reluctantly or under compulsion,(BY) for God loves a cheerful giver.(BZ) 8 And God is able(CA) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,(CB) you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts(CC) to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”[c](CD)

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food(CE) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.(CF) 11 You will be enriched(CG) in every way so that you can be generous(CH) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.(CI)

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs(CJ) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.(CK) 13 Because of the service(CL) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God(CM) for the obedience that accompanies your confession(CN) of the gospel of Christ,(CO) and for your generosity(CP) in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God(CQ) for his indescribable gift!(CR)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts and in your love for us
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18
  3. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9
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