| Chapter 15 |
1 | But we ought, we that are strong, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. |
2 | Let each one of us please his neighbour with a view to what is good, to edification. |
3 | For the Christ also did not please himself; but according as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproach thee have fallen upon me. |
4 | For as many things as have been written before have been written for our instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. |
5 | Now the God of endurance and of encouragement give to you to be like-minded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus; |
6 | that ye may with one accord, with one mouth, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
7 | Wherefore receive ye one another, according as the Christ also has received you to [the] glory of God. |
8 | For I say that Jesus Christ became a minister of [the] circumcision for [the] truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers; |
9 | and that the nations should glorify God for mercy; according as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among [the] nations, and will sing to thy name. |
10 | And again he says, Rejoice, nations, with his people. |
11 | And again, Praise the Lord, all [ye] nations, and let all the peoples laud him. |
12 | And again, Esaias says, There shall be the root of Jesse, and one that arises, to rule over [the] nations: in him shall [the] nations hope. |
13 | Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that ye should abound in hope by [the] power of [the] Holy Spirit. |
14 | But I am persuaded, my brethren, I myself also, concerning you, that yourselves also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. |
15 | But I have written to you the more boldly, [brethren,] in part, as putting you in mind, because of the grace given to me by God, |
16 | for me to be minister of Christ Jesus to the nations, carrying on as a sacrificial service the [message of] glad tidings of God, in order that the offering up of the nations might be acceptable, sanctified by [the] Holy Spirit. |
17 | I have therefore [whereof to] boast in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. |
18 | For I will not dare to speak anything of the things which Christ has not wrought by me, for [the] obedience of [the] nations, by word and deed, |
19 | in [the] power of signs and wonders, in [the] power of [the] Spirit of God; so that I, from Jerusalem, and in a circuit round to Illyricum, have fully preached the glad tidings of the Christ; |
20 | and so aiming to announce the glad tidings, not where Christ has been named, that I might not build upon another's foundation; |
21 | but according as it is written, To whom there was nothing told concerning him, they shall see; and they that have not heard shall understand. |
22 | Wherefore also I have been often hindered from coming to you. |
23 | But now, having no longer place in these regions, and having great desire to come to you these many years, |
24 | whenever I should go to Spain; (for I hope to see you as I go through, and by you to be set forward thither, if first I shall have been in part filled with your company;) |
25 | but now I go to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints; |
26 | for Macedonia and Achaia have been well pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints who [are] in Jerusalem. |
27 | They have been well pleased indeed, and they are their debtors; for if the nations have participated in their spiritual things, they ought also in fleshly to minister to them. |
28 | Having finished this therefore, and having sealed to them this fruit, I will set off by you into Spain. |
29 | But I know that, coming to you, I shall come in [the] fulness of [the] blessing of Christ. |
30 | But I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in prayers for me to God; |
31 | that I may be saved from those that do not believe in Judaea; and that my ministry which [I have] for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; |
32 | in order that I may come to you in joy by God's will, and that I may be refreshed with you. |
33 | And the God of peace be with you all. Amen. |