1Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves . 2Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good , unto edifying . 3For Christ also pleased not himself ; but , as it is written , The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me . 4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning , that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope . 5Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus : 6that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ .
Christ as the Fulfillment of God's Promises
7Wherefore receive ye one another , even as Christ also received you , to the glory of God . 8For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God , that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers , 9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy ; as it is written , Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles , And sing unto thy name . 10And again he saith , Rejoice , ye Gentiles , with his people . 11And again , Praise the Lord , all ye Gentiles ; And let all the peoples praise him . 12And again , Isaiah saith , There shall be the root of Jesse , And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles ; On him shall the Gentiles hope .
Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing , that ye may abound in hope , in the power of the Holy Spirit . 14And I myself also am persuaded of you , my brethren , that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge , able also to admonish one another . 15But I write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me of God , 16that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles , ministering the gospel of God , that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable , being sanctified by the Holy Spirit . 17I have therefore my glorying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God . 18For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me , for the obedience of the Gentiles , by word and deed , 19in the power of signs and wonders , in the power of the Holy Spirit ; so that from Jerusalem , and round about even unto Illyricum , I have fully preached the gospel of Christ ;
Paul's Future Plans and Request for Prayer
20yea , making it my aim so to preach the gospel , not where Christ was already named , that I might not build upon another man ’s foundation ; 21but , as it is written , They shall see , to whom no tidings of him came , And they who have not heard shall understand . 22Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you : 23but now , having no more any place in these regions , and having these many years a longing to come unto you , 24whensoever I go unto Spain ( for I hope to see you in my journey , and to be brought on my way thitherward by you , if first in some measure I shall have been satisfied with your company)— 25but now , I say , I go unto Jerusalem , ministering unto the saints. 26For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem . 27Yea , it hath been their good pleasure ; and their debtors they are . For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things , they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things . 28When therefore I have accomplished this , and have sealed to them this fruit , I will go on by you unto Spain . 29And I know that , when I come unto you , I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ . 30Now I beseech you , brethren , by our Lord Jesus Christ , and by the love of the Spirit , that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me ; 31that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judæa , and that my ministration which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; 32that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God , and together with you find rest . 33Now the God of peace be with you all . Amen.