God Loves a Cheerful Giver (1 Corinthians 16:1–4)
1 ULT For concerning the ministry{ that is} to the saints, it is excessive for me to write to you. BSB BSB: Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2 ULT For I know your readiness,{ of} which I boast to the Macedonians concerning you, that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your zeal stirred up most{ of them}. 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 ULT But I sent the brothers so that our boasting which{ is} about you might not be futile in this matter{ and} so that you might be ready, as I was saying. 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 ULT Otherwise, if Macedonians might come with me and might find you unprepared, we would be ashamed— not to mention you— by this situation. 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 ULT So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers that they should go to you beforehand and prepare in advance this promised blessing of yours, to be ready in this way as a blessing and not as something forced. 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 ULT Now this{ I say}: the one sowing sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one sowing in blessings will also reap in blessings. BSB BSB: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 ULT { Let} each one{ give} just as he has decided beforehand in his heart, not from sorrow or from compulsion, 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 ULT And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in everything, always, having all sufficiency, you may abound in 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 ULT Just as it is written:“He distributed{ alms}, he gave to the poor, his righteousness endures to eternity.” BSB BSB: As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10 ULT Now the one supplying seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and will 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 ULT in every way being enriched for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us, 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 ULT because the ministry of this service not only is fully supplying the needs of the saints but is also abounding with 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 ULT Through the proof of this ministry, they are glorifying God on the basis of the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ and the generosity of the fellowship toward them and toward everyone, 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 ULT and in their prayer on your behalf, longing for you because of the surpassing grace of God 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 ULT Thanks{ be} to God for his indescribable gift! BSB BSB: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.