Chapter 15
1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves .
2 Let each one of us please his neighbour for that which is good , to be building him up .
3 For even Christ didn’ t please himself . But , as it is written , " The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me ."
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning , that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope .
5 Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus ,
6 that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ .
7 Therefore accept one another , even as Christ also accepted you , to the glory of God .
8 Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God , that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers ,
9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy . As it is written , " Therefore I will give praise to you amongst the Gentiles and sing to your name ."
10 Again he says , " Rejoice , you Gentiles , with his people ."
11 Again , " Praise the Lord , all you Gentiles ! Let all the peoples praise him ."
12 Again , Isaiah says , " There will be the root of Jesse , he who arises to rule over the Gentiles ; in him the Gentiles will hope ."
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing , that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit .
14 I myself am also persuaded about you , my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge , able also to admonish others .
15 But I write the more boldly to you in part as reminding you , because of the grace that was given to me by God ,
16 that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles , serving as a priest of the Good News of God , that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable , sanctified by the Holy Spirit .
17 I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God .
18 For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me for the obedience of the Gentiles , by word and deed ,
19 in the power of signs and wonders , in the power of God ’s Spirit ; so that from Jerusalem and around as far as to Illyricum , I have fully preached the Good News of Christ ;
20 yes , making it my aim to preach the Good News , not where Christ was already named , that I might not build on another ’s foundation .
21 But , as it is written , " They will see , to whom no news of him came . They who haven’t heard will understand ."
22 Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you ,
23 but now , no longer having any place in these regions , and having these many years a longing to come to you ,
24 whenever I travel to Spain , I will come to you . For I hope to see you on my journey , and to be helped on my way there by you , if first I may enjoy your company for a while .
25 But now , I say, I am going to Jerusalem , serving the saints.
26 For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor amongst the saints who are at Jerusalem .
27 Yes , it has been their good pleasure , and they are their debtors . For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things , they owe it to them also to serve them in material things .
28 When therefore I have accomplished this , and have sealed to them this fruit , I will go on by way of you to Spain .
29 I know that when I come to you , I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ .
30 Now I beg you , brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit , that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me ,
31 that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea , and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32 that I may come to you in joy through the will of God , and together with you , find rest .
33 Now the God of peace be with you all . Amen.