God Loves a Cheerful Giver (1 Corinthians 16:1–4)
1 DBY For concerning the ministration which is for the saints, it is superfluous my writing to you. BSB BSB: Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2 DBY For I know your readiness, which I boast of as respects you to Macedonians, that Achaia is prepared since a year ago, and the zeal reported of you has stimulated the mass of the brethren . BSB BSB: For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
3 DBY But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect, in order that, as I have said, ye may be prepared; BSB BSB: But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
4 DBY lest haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, that we say not ye, may be put to shame in this confidence. BSB BSB: Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5 DBY I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you, and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you. BSB BSB: So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
6 DBY But this is true , he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in the spirit of blessing shall reap also in blessing: BSB BSB: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 DBY each according as he is purposed in his heart; not grievingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. BSB BSB: Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
8 DBY But God is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you, that, having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work: BSB BSB: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9 DBY according as it is written, He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains for ever. BSB BSB: As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10 DBY Now he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: BSB BSB: Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11 DBY enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God. BSB BSB: You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
12 DBY Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God; BSB BSB: For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
13 DBY they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration, by reason of your subjection, by profession, to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all; BSB BSB: Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
14 DBY and in their supplication for you, full of ardent desire for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God which is upon you. BSB BSB: And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15 DBY Thanks be to God for his unspeakable free gift. BSB BSB: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.