The Cheerful Giver

(A)But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows [a]bountifully will also reap [b]bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, (B)not grudgingly or of [c]necessity; for (C)God loves a cheerful giver. (D)And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:

(E)“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now [d]may He who (F)supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, [e]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your (G)righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, (H)which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:6 with blessings
  2. 2 Corinthians 9:6 with blessings
  3. 2 Corinthians 9:7 compulsion
  4. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NU omits may
  5. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NU will supply

Generosity Encouraged

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.(A) Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,(B) not reluctantly or under compulsion,(C) for God loves a cheerful giver.(D) And God is able(E) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,(F) you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts(G) to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”[a](H)

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

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9

Glory of the New Covenant

But if (A)the ministry of death, (B)written and engraved on stones, was glorious, (C)so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will (D)the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry (E)of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

12 Therefore, since we have such hope, (F)we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, (G)who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at (H)the end of what was passing away. 14 But (I)their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless (J)when one turns to the Lord, (K)the veil is taken away. 17 Now (L)the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is (M)liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding (N)as in a mirror (O)the glory of the Lord, (P)are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [a]by the Spirit of the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or from the Lord, the Spirit

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

Now if the ministry that brought death,(A) which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory,(B) transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation(C) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!(D) 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope,(E) we are very bold.(F) 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face(G) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull,(H) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant(I) is read.(J) It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,(K) the veil is taken away.(L) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,(M) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(N) 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a](O) the Lord’s glory,(P) are being transformed into his image(Q) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflect