RomansChapter 15

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¹We who are strong should put up with the weak spots of those who are weak. We should not just please ourselves. ²Each of us should please his neighbor for his good. We should help build him up. ³For even Christ did not please himself. As it is written, "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." ⁴Everything that was written long ago was written to teach us. The Scriptures help us keep going and cheer us on. So through them we can have hope. ⁵God gives the strength to keep going, and he gives comfort. May he help you live in peace with each other in Christ Jesus. ⁶Then with one mind and one voice you can give glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷So welcome each other, just as Christ welcomed you. Do this to bring glory to God. ⁸I tell you that Christ became a servant of the Jews, who are circumcised. He did this to show that God tells the truth. He came to make sure the promises to our early fathers came true. ⁹He also came so that the Gentiles would give glory to God for his mercy. As it is written, "So I will praise you among the Gentiles. I will sing songs to your name." ¹⁰Again it says, "Be glad, you Gentiles, along with his people." ¹¹And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Let all the peoples praise him." ¹²And once more, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will come. He will rise up to rule over the Gentiles. The Gentiles will put their hope in him." ¹³God is the God of hope. May he fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁴My brothers and sisters, I am sure that you are full of goodness. You are filled with knowledge. You are able to teach each other. ¹⁵But I have written to you boldly about some things to remind you of them. I did this because of the grace God has given me. ¹⁶His grace made me a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I serve like a priest as I share God's good news. I do this so that the Gentiles might become an offering that pleases God. They are made holy by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷So in Christ Jesus I am proud of my work for God. ¹⁸I will not dare to talk about anything except what Christ has done through me. He has used me to lead the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done. ¹⁹He did it by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of God's Spirit. So I have fully preached the good news of Christ. I have gone from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. ²⁰In this way, I have wanted to preach the good news where people did not know about Christ. I did not want to build on what someone else had started. ²¹Instead, it is as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see. And those who have not heard will understand." ²²That is why I have often been kept from coming to you. ²³But now there is no more work for me to do in these places. And for many years I have wanted to visit you. ²⁴I hope to see you as I travel to Spain. After I have enjoyed being with you for a while, you can help me on my way. ²⁵But right now I am going to Jerusalem to serve God's people there. ²⁶For the believers in Macedonia and Achaia were glad to give a gift. It is for the poor among God's people in Jerusalem. ²⁷They were glad to do it. And they really do owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they should serve them by sharing their earthly blessings. ²⁸So I will finish this task and make sure they safely get this gift. Then I will set out for Spain and visit you on the way. ²⁹I know that when I come to you, I will come with the full blessing of Christ. ³⁰Brothers and sisters, I urge you by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit. Join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. ³¹Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who do not believe. And pray that God's people in Jerusalem will welcome the help I bring. ³²Then, if God wants it, I can come to you with joy. And together with you I can be refreshed. ³³May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.