Romans 15
The Example of Christ
1 We a then who are strong ought to bear with the 1 scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 b Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to 2 edification. 3 c For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, d "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me." 3 4 For e whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the 4 patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 f Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may g with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore h receive one another, just i as Christ also received 5 us, to the glory of God.
Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles
8 Now I say that j Jesus Christ has become a 6 servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, k to confirm the promises made to the fathers,
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and l that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:
m "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,
And sing to Your name." 7
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And again he says:
n "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" 8
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And again:
o "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!" 9
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And again, Isaiah says:
p "There shall be a root of Jesse;
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In Him the Gentiles shall hope." 10
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all q joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 Now r I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, s filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish 11 one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, t because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that u I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the v offering 12 of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus w in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things x which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, y to make the Gentiles obedient - 19 z in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, a lest I should build on another man's foundation,
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but as it is written:
b "To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
And those who have not heard shall understand." 13
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome
22 For this reason c I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and d having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, 14 I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, e and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may f enjoy your company for a while. 25 But now g I am going to Jerusalem to 15 minister to the saints. 26 For h it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For i if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, j their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them k this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 l But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing 16 of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and m through the love of the Spirit, n that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 o that I may be delivered from those in Judea who 17 do not believe, and that p my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 q that I may come to you with joy r by the will of God, and may s be refreshed together with you. 33 Now t the God of peace be with you all. Amen.