1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

3 For even Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, »The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.«

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

5 May the God of patience and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus,

6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore, welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.

8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised to show God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: »Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,and sing to your name«;

10 and again it says: »Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people!«

11 and again, »Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,and praise him, all you peoples«;

12 And again, Isaiah says: »There shall be a root of Jesse;and he who shall rise to rule over the Gentiles,in him the Gentiles shall hope.«

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points, so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,

16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.

18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed—

19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

20 And so I have made it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on another man's foundation,

21 but as it is written: »They shall see who have not been told of him,and those who have not heard shall understand.«

22 This is the reason why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

23 But now, since I no longer have any place for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you,

24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through, and to be helped by you on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

25 Now, however, I am going to Jerusalem with aid for the saints.

26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they are in debt to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

28 When therefore I have completed this, and have delivered to them this fruit, I shall go on by way of you to Spain.

29 And I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy, and together with you be refreshed.

33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.