 1 We who are strong ought to bear the infirmities~ of the weak and not live to please ourselves. 2 Let everyone of us please their neighbor for their good to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me. Psalm 69:9 4 For whatever things were written previously+ were written for our learning so that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded toward one another according to Christ Jesus 6 so that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promises made to the fathers 9 so that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: For this reason+ I will confess to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name. Psalm 18:49 10 Again he said: Rejoice you Gentiles, with His people. Deuteronomy 32:43 11 And again: Praise the Lord all you Gentiles. Praise+ Him, all you people. Psalm 117:1 12 Again, as Isaiah said: There will be a root of Jesse who will rise to reign over the Gentiles. The Gentiles will trust in Him. Isaiah 11:10 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 14 I myself am also persuaded about you, my family+, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, family+, I have written more boldly to you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me from God, 16 that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God so that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore, I have reason+ to rejoice+ through Jesus Christ in those things that pertain to God. 18 For I do not dare to speak about anything other than what Christ accomplished+ using me to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 through mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God so that, from Jerusalem and all around+ to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed+ the Gospel of Christ. 20 And so, I have endeavored+ to proclaim+ the Gospel, not where Christ was already named, lest I should build upon another's foundation, 21 but as it is written: To whom He was not spoken of, they shall see. Those who have not heard shall understand. Isaiah 52:15 22 For this cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, having no more place to go in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you. For I trust to see you on my journey, and to be brought to you on my way there, if I may be somewhat filled by your company first. 25 But for now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints there. 26 For it has pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints who are at Jerusalem. 27 It has truly+ pleased them. They are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, then it is their duty also to minister to them in their needs in the flesh+. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed this fruit to them, I will come to you on the way to Spain. 29 I am sure that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ. 30 Now I urge you, family+, for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me 31 so that I may be delivered from those who do not believe in Judea, so that my service for Jerusalem may be accepted by the saints, 32 and so that I may come to you with joy by the will of God and may be refreshed with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
|