Bearing Others’ Burdens
We athen who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 aLet each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 aFor even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, b“The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For awhatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 aNow may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may awith one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Glorify God Together
7 Therefore areceive one another, just bas Christ also received us, to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that aJesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, bto confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and athat the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:
b“For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,
And sing to Your name.”
10 And again he says:
a“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”
11 And again:
a“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!”
12 And again, Isaiah says:
a“There shall be a root of Jesse;
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all ajoy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
From Jerusalem to Illyricum
14 Now aI myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, bfilled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, abecause of the grace given to me by God, 16 that aI might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the boffering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus ain the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things awhich Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, bto make the Gentiles obedient— 19 ain mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, alest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written:
a“To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
And those who have not heard shall understand.”
Plan to Visit Rome
22 For this reason aI also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and ahaving a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, aand to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may benjoy your company for a while. 25 But now aI am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For ait pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For aif the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, btheir duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them athis fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 aBut I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and athrough the love of the Spirit, bthat you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 athat I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that bmy service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 athat I may come to you with joy bby the will of God, and may cbe refreshed together with you. 33 Now athe God of peace be with you all. Amen. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
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