Romans 15:1-33 GW

[1] So those of us who have a strong faith must be patient with the weaknesses of those whose faith is not so strong. We must not think only of ourselves. [2] We should all be concerned about our neighbor and the good things that will build his faith. [3] Christ did not think only of himself. Rather, as Scripture says, "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." [4] Everything written long ago was written to teach us so that we would have confidence through the endurance and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. [5] May God, who gives you this endurance and encouragement, allow you to live in harmony with each other by following the example of Christ Jesus. [6] Then, having the same goal, you will praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [7] Therefore, accept each other in the same way that Christ accepted you. He did this to bring glory to God. [8] Let me explain. Christ became a servant for the Jewish people to reveal God's truth. As a result, he fulfilled God's promise to the ancestors of the Jewish people. [9] People who are not Jewish praise God for his mercy as well. This is what the Scriptures say, "That is why I will give thanks to you among the nations and I will sing praises to your name." [10] And Scripture says again, "You nations, be happy together with his people!" [11] And again, "Praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise him, all you people of the world!" [12] Again, Isaiah says, "There will be a root from Jesse. He will rise to rule the nations, and he will give the nations hope." [13] May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. [14] I'm convinced, brothers and sisters, that you, too, are filled with goodness. I'm also convinced that you have all the knowledge you need and that you are able to instruct each other. [15] However, I've written you a letter, parts of which are rather bold, as a reminder to you. I'm doing this because God gave me the gift [16] to be a servant of Christ Jesus to people who are not Jewish. I serve as a priest by spreading the Good News of God. I do this in order that I might bring the nations to God as an acceptable offering, made holy by the Holy Spirit. [17] So Christ Jesus gives me the right to brag about what I'm doing for God. [18] I'm bold enough to tell you only what Christ has done through me to bring people who are not Jewish to obedience. By what I have said and done, [19] by the power of miraculous and amazing signs, and by the power of God's Spirit, I have finished spreading the Good News about Christ from Jerusalem to Illyricum. [20] My goal was to spread the Good News where the name of Christ was not known. I didn't want to build on a foundation which others had laid. [21] As Scripture says, "Those who were never told about him will see, and those who never heard will understand." [22] This is what has so often kept me from visiting you. [23] But now I have no new opportunities for work in this region. For many years I have wanted to visit you. [24] Now I am on my way to Spain, so I hope to see you when I come your way. After I have enjoyed your company for a while, I hope that you will support my trip to Spain. [25] Right now I'm going to Jerusalem to bring help to the Christians there. [26] Because the believers in Macedonia and Greece owe a debt to the Christians in Jerusalem, they have decided to take up a collection for the poor among the Christians in Jerusalem. [27] These Macedonians and Greeks have shared the spiritual wealth of the Christians in Jerusalem. So they are obligated to use their earthly wealth to help them. [28] When the collection is completed and I have officially turned the money over to the Christians in Jerusalem, I will visit you on my way to Spain. [29] I know that when I come to you I will bring the full blessing of Christ. [30] Brothers and sisters, I encourage you through our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that the Spirit creates, to join me in my struggle. Pray to God for me [31] that I will be rescued from those people in Judea who refuse to believe. Pray that God's people in Jerusalem will accept the help I bring. [32] Also pray that by the will of God I may come to you with joy and be refreshed when I am with you. [33] May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.