2 Corinthians 9:5

3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
KJV
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
WEB
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
ASV
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.
DARBY
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.
BLB
Therefore I deemed [it] necessary to exhort the brothers that they should go before to you⁺ and should complete beforehand your⁺ foreannounced blessing, thus [for] this to be ready as a blessing and not as covetousness.
ÅB
Derfor aktet jeg det nødvendig å tilskynde brødrene til å dra i forveien til dere og forut få i stand den gave dere før har lovt, at den må være ferdig som en velsignelse, og ikke som en karrig gave.
OTB
Så jeg anså det nødvendig å oppfordre brødrene til å gå foran til dere og ordne på forhånd deres tidligere lovede gavmilde gave, slik at den ville være klar som en gavmild gave, og ikke som en som er gitt motvillig på grunn av grådighet.
B1930
Derfor aktet jeg det nødvendig å tilskynde brødrene til å dra i forveien til eder og forut få i stand den gave I før har lovt, at den må være ferdig som en velsignelse, og ikke som en karrig gave.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 33:11

    Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 25:27

    And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

    Read in context
  • Philippians 4:17

    Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 8:6

    Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

    Read in context
  • Judges 1:15

    And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 30:26

    And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 12:17–18

    Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 16:2

    Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

    Read in context