[2 Corinthians 9]

             {Paul used various words: service, bounty, blessing, to describe the food being sent to Jerusalem and other places during a long drought. The (sarcasm) below in 9:4 is typical Paul writing.}

             ^9:1 For^* indeed, concerning the relief service ^*for the holy-ones, it is superfluous for me to write to you^°: ^9:2 for^* I know your^° eagerness, of which I am boasting on your^° behalf to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared from the past-year, and the zeal from you^° stimulated most of them. ^9:3 But I sent the brethren in-order-that our boasting on your^° behalf may not be made void in this respect; in-order-that, just-as I was saying, you^° may be prepared; ^9:4 lest, if some Macedonians come together-with me and might find you^° unprepared, we (that^* we might not say, you^°) should be ashamed in this firmness of boasting. ^9:5 Therefore, I deemed it necessary to encourage the brethren in-order-that they should go beforehand to you^°, and should thus prearrange the proclaimed beforehand bounty. This is to be ready, as a bounty and not as something from greed. ^9:6 But I say this, He who is sowing sparingly will also be reaping sparingly, and he who is sowing upon his bounties will also be reaping upon his bounties. ^9:7 Let each man give just-as he proposes in the heart; not out-of sorrow or out-of necessity {Or: from calamity}; for^* God loves^* a joyful giver. ^9:8 Now God is able to make abound all grace toward you^°, in-order-that having all self-sufficiency in everything, you^° should always abound to every good work; ^9:9 as it has been written, ‘He scattered them, he gave to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.’{Psa 112:9} ^9:10 Now he who is supplying seed to the sower and bread ^*for food, may supply and may multiply your^° seed and may cause the growth of the fruits^* of your^° righteousness. ^9:11 You^° are enriched in everything to all liberality, which is working through us thanksgiving to God. ^9:12 Because the service of this ministry^* not only is replenishing the things lacking of the holy-ones, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God. ^9:13 Through the trial of you^° of this service, they are glorifying God upon the subjection of your^° confession toward the good-news of the Christ and at the liberality of the generosity^* toward them and toward all; ^9:14 and in their supplication on your^° behalf, a longing-for you^° because of the surpassing grace of God upon you^°. ^9:15 But gratitude is to God upon his indescribable gift.