Nam de ministerio, quod fit in sanctos ex abundanti est mihi scribere vobis.

For concerning the ministry that is done towards the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.

And indeed, to write and tell you about the collection for the saints would be waste of time;

Scio enim promptum animum vestrum: pro quo de vobis glorior apud Macedones. Quoniam et Achaia parata est ab anno præterito, et vestra æmulatio provocavit plurimos.

For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you to the Macedonians. That Achaia also is ready from the year past, and your emulation hath provoked very many.

I know well your eagerness, which has made me boast to the Macedonians that Achaia has been ready ever since last year, and this challenge of yours has stirred up others beside yourselves.

Misi autem fratres: ut ne quod gloriamur de vobis, evacuetur in hac parte, ut (quemadmodum dixi) parati sitis:

Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we boast of concerning you, be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:

If I am sending the brethren, it is only for fear that the boast we made of you should prove false in this particular; as I told you, I would have you quite ready;

ne cum venerint Macedones mecum, et invenerint vos imparatos, erubescamus nos (ut non dicamus vos) in hac substantia.

Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in this matter.

or else, when some of the Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, and you too for that matter, will be put to the blush over this confidence of ours.

Necessarium ergo existimavi rogare fratres, ut præveniant ad vos, et præparent repromissam benedictionem hanc paratam esse sic, quasi benedictionem, non tamquam avaritiam.

Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before, and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.

That is why I have thought it necessary to ask the brethren to visit you first, and see that the free offering you have already promised is prepared beforehand. Only it is to be a free offering, not a grudging tribute.

Hoc autem dico: qui parce seminat, parce et metet: et qui seminat in benedictionibus, de benedictionibus et metet.

Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings.

I would remind you of this, He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly; he who sows freely will reap freely too.

Unusquisque, prout destinavit in corde suo, non ex tristitia, aut ex necessitate: hilarem enim datorem diligit Deus.

Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Each of you should carry out the purpose he has formed in his heart, not with any painful effort; it is the cheerful giver God loves.

Potens est autem Deus omnem gratiam abundare facere in vobis: ut in omnibus semper omnem sufficientiam habentes, abundetis in omne opus bonum,

And God is able to make all grace abound in you; that ye always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work,

God has the power to supply you abundantly with every kind of blessing, so that, with all your needs well supplied at all times, you may have something to spare for every work of mercy.

sicut scriptum est: Dispersit, dedit pauperibus: justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.

So we read, He has spent largely, and given to the poor; his charity lives on for ever.

Qui autem administrat semen seminanti: et panem ad manducandum præstabit, et multiplicabit semen vestrum, et augebit incrementa frugum justitiæ vestræ:

And he that ministereth seed to the sower, will both give you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:

He who puts grain into the sower’s hand, and gives us food to eat, will supply you with seed and multiply it, and enrich the harvest of your charity;

ut in omnibus locupletati abundetis in omnem simplicitatem, quæ operatur per nos gratiarum actionem Deo.

That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

so that you will have abundant means of every kind for all that generosity which gives proof of our gratitude towards God.

Quoniam ministerium hujus officii non solum supplet ea quæ desunt sanctis, sed etiam abundat per multas gratiarum actiones in Domino,

Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord,

The administration, remember, of this public service does more than supply the needs of the saints; it yields, besides, a rich harvest of thanksgiving in the name of the Lord.

per probationem ministerii hujus, glorificantes Deum in obedientia confessionis vestræ, in Evangelium Christi, et simplicitate communicationis in illos, et in omnes,

By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them, and unto all.

This administration makes men praise God for the spirit of obedience which you shew in confessing the gospel of Christ, and the generosity which you shew in sharing your goods with these and with all men;

et in ipsorum obsecratione pro vobis, desiderantium vos propter eminentem gratiam Dei in vobis.

And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.

and they will intercede, too, on your behalf, as the abundant measure of grace which God bestows on you warms their hearts towards you.

Gratias Deo super inenarrabili dono ejus.

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Thanks be to God for his unutterable bounty to us.