1Now we who are strong ought to bear with the weaknesses of the powerless, and not to please ourselves.
2Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, toward edification.
3For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written: “The reproaches of those who reproach you fell upon me.”
4For whatever was written beforehand was written for our instruction, so that through the endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus,
6so that with one accord, with one mouth, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us, to the glory of God.
8For I say that Christ has become a servant of the circumcision on behalf of God’s truth, in order to confirm the promises given to the fathers,
9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess you among the Gentiles, and to your name I will sing praise.”
10And again it says: “Rejoice, Gentiles, with his people.”
11And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”
12And again Isaiah says: “There will be the root of Jesse, and the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
14Now I myself am persuaded concerning you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15But I have written to you rather boldly in part, as reminding you again, because of the grace given to me by God
16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17I have, then, this boast in Christ Jesus in the things pertaining to God.
18For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
19by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum I have fulfilled the gospel of Christ.
20and so making it my ambition to preach the gospel not where Christ had already been named, so that I might not build on someone else’s foundation,
21but as it is written: “Those to whom nothing was announced about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”
22For this reason also I was often hindered from coming to you.
23But now, no longer having a place in these regions, and having a longing to come to you for many years,
24whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you as I pass through and to be sent on my way there by you, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.
25—but now I am going to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints.
26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
27They were pleased to do so, and indeed they are debtors to them; for if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in material things.
28So when I have completed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
29And I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
30Now I urge you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,
31so that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32so that, coming to you in joy through the will of God, I may find rest together with you.
33Now may the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.
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