Carry the Weaknesses of Others
WE then that are able, are under obligation to carry the weaknesses of the unable, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for good to his edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written: The insults of them that insulted you fell upon me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we, through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures might have hope.
5 ¶ Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to be likeminded, one toward another, in accordance with 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, just as Christ also received us for Gods glory.
Jesus Minister to the Nations
8 ¶ Now I say that Jesus Christ came as a servant to the circumcision on behalf of Gods truth, for the purpose of confirming the promises made to the fathers:
9 And that the nations in view of his mercy may glorify God, as it is written: On account of this I will openly praise you amongst the nations and sing songs of praise to your name.
10 And again he says, Rejoice, you nations together with his people.
11 And again, praise the Lord, all you nations; and speak of his excellence all his peoples.
12 And again, Isaiah says: There shall be the root of Jesse, and he will rise up to rule over the nations; in him shall the nations put their hope.
The Nations to become a Pleasing Offering
13 ¶ Now may the God of hope fill you with all kinds of joy and inner peace through your continuing belief and confidence, with the result that you have an abundance of hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
14 And I myself am also convinced in relation to you, my brothers, that you are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
15 I have written to you boldly for this reason brothers, so that you might remember these points, on account of the grace given to me by God.
16 So that I should be a servant of Jesus Christ to the nations, serving as priest to the gospel of God, so that by the Holy Spirit the nations be made holy and become a pleasing offering to God.
17 ¶ I therefore have reason to boast in Jesus Christ regarding the things of God.
18 For I dare not speak of anything which Christ has not wrought through me, only those things resulting in the obedience of the nations through word and deed;
19 Through powerful signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.
¶ So that from Jerusalem, and round about and as far as Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
20 And then, in this way I have strived to announce the gospel where Christ was not known, lest I should build upon another’s foundation;
21 But as it is written: For that which had not been told them, they shall see: and that which they had not heard, they shall understand.
22 For this very reason I have also been greatly hindered in coming to you.
Pauls Travels
23 ¶ And so having no more opportunity in these regions, and having a great longing for many years to come to you;
24 When I travel to Spain, I will try and come to you: for I hope to see you on my journey, and be helped on my way there by you, if I can first enjoy your company for a short time.
25 But now I travel to Jerusalem to take care of the holy ones.
26 ¶ For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for those holy ones which are poor in Jerusalem.
27 It has pleased them also, for they are obligated to them. For if the nations have shared in their spiritual things, then their obligation is to serve them in physical things.
28 Accordingly after I have completed this, and having secured them this fruit; I will depart through you into Spain.
29 And know that, when I come to you, I will come with the full blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Paul Pleads for Prayers
30 ¶ And I beg you, brothers, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, please join fervently together with me in prayers to God on my behalf;
31 That I may be delivered from those that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have to Jerusalem may be very pleasing to the holy ones;
32 That I may come to you with joy through the will of God, and that we may be refreshed together.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.