Romans 15

1Those of us who are strong have a duty to carry the weaknesses of those who lack strength, instead of living to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please our neighbor, aiming at what is good for them and what builds them up. 3For even Christ did not please himself. Instead, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4Everything that was written in earlier times was written to teach us. It was written so that we might have hope, as we endure and as the Scriptures encourage us. 5May God, who gives endurance and encouragement, grant you to live in harmony with one another, as Christ Jesus would have you, 6so that together, with one voice, you may give glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7So welcome one another, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised for the sake of God’s truth, to make good the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “That is why I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.” 10And again it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, together with his people.” 11And again, “All you Gentiles, praise the Lord; let all the peoples sing his praise.” 12And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, the one who rises to rule over the Gentiles; the Gentiles will set their hope on him.” 13May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace of every kind as you believe, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you overflow with hope.

14My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you: you are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to counsel one another. 15Yet on some points I have written to you quite boldly, to remind you of them again. I have done so because of the grace God gave me 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus for the Gentiles. I serve the gospel of God like a priest, so that the Gentiles may become an offering that God accepts, made holy by the Holy Spirit. 17So in Christ Jesus I have reason to boast of my service to God. 18I will not venture to speak of anything but what Christ has done through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience, through what I have said and done, 19by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit. So I have completed the preaching of the gospel of Christ in a wide circle from Jerusalem as far as Illyricum. 20My aim has been to preach the gospel where Christ was not yet known, so that I would not build on a foundation someone else had laid. 21Instead, as it is written, “Those who were never told of him will see, and those who never heard will understand.”

22That is why I have so often been prevented from coming to you. 23But now there is no more room for my work in these regions, and for many years I have longed to come to you 24when I travel to Spain. I hope to see you as I pass through, and to have you help me on my way there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25Right now, though, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve God’s holy people. 26For the churches of Macedonia and Achaia were glad to share what they had with the poor among God’s holy people in Jerusalem. 27They were glad to do it, and they really do owe it to them. If the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to serve them with material help. 28So once I have finished this task and made sure they have received this fruit, I will set out for Spain and visit you on the way. 29I know that when I do come to you, I will come with the full blessing of Christ.

30Brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love the Spirit gives: join me in my struggle through your prayers to God for me. 31Ask that I may be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to believe, and that God’s holy people in Jerusalem will welcome the help I bring them. 32Then, if God wills, I can come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.