Nowthis[I say], he who sowssparinglywill alsoreapsparingly,and he who sowsbountifullywill alsoreapbountifully.
"Give,and it will be givento you. They will pourinto your lapa goodmeasure--pressed down,shaken together,[and] running over.For by your standardof measureit will be measured to you in return."
He who is generouswill be blessed,For he givessomeof his foodto the poor.
One who is graciousto a poormanlendsto the LORD,And He will repayhim for his gooddeed.
NowHe who suppliesseedto the sowerand breadfor foodwill supplyand multiplyyour seedfor sowing and increasethe harvestof your righteousness;
For Godis not unjustso as to forgetyour workand the lovewhichyou have showntowardHis name,in having ministeredand in still ministeringto the saints.
Sowyour seedin the morningand do not be idlein the evening,for you do not knowwhethermorningorevening sowing will succeed,or whetherbothof them alikewill be good.
The wickedearnsdeceptivewages,But he who sowsrighteousness[gets] a true reward.
Castyour breadon the surfaceof the waters,for you will findit after manydays.
But I say,walkby the Spirit,and you will not carryout the desireof the flesh.
What I am sayingis this:the Law,which camefour hundredand thirtyyearslater,does not invalidatea covenantpreviously ratifiedby God,soas to nullifythe promise.
But nowChristhas been raisedfrom the dead,the first fruitsof thosewho are asleep.
SothisI say,and affirmtogetherwith the Lord,that you walkno longerjustas the Gentilesalsowalk,in the futilityof their mind,
But thisI say,brethren,the timehas beenshortened,sothat from nowon thosewho havewivesshould be as thoughthey hadnone;
I saythissothat no onewill deludeyou with persuasive argument.
NowI meanthis,that each oneof you is saying,"I amof Paul,"and "I of Apollos,"and "I of Cephas,"and "I of Christ."
SoI thoughtit necessaryto urgethe brethrenthat they would go on aheadto you and arrange beforehandyour previously promisedbountifulgift,sothat the samewould be readyas a bountiful giftand not affectedby covetousness.
