15Romans 15

Please Others and Not Yourself

1If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves.Select Romans 15:1

2We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them.Select Romans 15:2

3Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, “The people who insulted you also insulted me.”Select Romans 15:3

4And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.Select Romans 15:4

5God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ.Select Romans 15:5

6Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Select Romans 15:6

The Good News Is for Jews and Gentiles

7Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.Select Romans 15:7

8I tell you that Christ came as a servant of the Jews to show that God has kept the promises he made to their famous ancestors. Christ also came,Select Romans 15:8

9so that the Gentiles would praise God for being kind to them. It is just as the Scriptures say, “I will tell the nations about you, and I will sing praises to your name.”Select Romans 15:9

10The Scriptures also say to the Gentiles, “Come and celebrate with God's people.”Select Romans 15:10

11Again the Scriptures say, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. All you nations, come and worship him.”Select Romans 15:11

12Isaiah says, “Someone from David's family will come to power. He will rule the nations, and they will put their hope in him.”Select Romans 15:12

13I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.Select Romans 15:13

Paul's Work as a Missionary

14My friends, I am sure that you are very good and that you have all the knowledge you need to teach each other.Select Romans 15:14

15But I have spoken to you plainly and have tried to remind you of some things. God treated me with undeserved grace!Select Romans 15:15

16He chose me to be a servant of Christ Jesus for the Gentiles and to do the work of a priest in the service of his good news. God did this so that the Holy Spirit could make the Gentiles into a holy offering, pleasing to him.Select Romans 15:16

17Because of Christ Jesus, I can take pride in my service for God.Select Romans 15:17

18In fact, all I will talk about is how Christ let me speak and work, so that the Gentiles would obey him.Select Romans 15:18

19Indeed, I will tell how Christ worked miracles and wonders by the power of the Holy Spirit. I have preached the good news about him all the way from Jerusalem to Illyricum.Select Romans 15:19

20But I have always tried to preach where people have never heard about Christ. I am like a builder who doesn't build on someone else's foundation.Select Romans 15:20

21It is just as the Scriptures say, “All who haven't been told about him will see him, and those who haven't heard about him will understand.”Select Romans 15:21

Paul's Plan To Visit Rome

22My work has always kept me from coming to see you.Select Romans 15:22

23Now there is nothing left for me to do in this part of the world, and for years I have wanted to visit you.Select Romans 15:23

24So I plan to stop off on my way to Spain. Then after a short, but refreshing, visit with you, I hope you will quickly send me on.Select Romans 15:24

26I am now on my way to Jerusalem to deliver the money that the Lord's followers in Macedonia and Achaia collected for God's needy people.Select Romans 15:26

27This is something they really wanted to do. But sharing their money with the Jews was also like paying back a debt, because the Jews had already shared their spiritual blessings with the Gentiles.Select Romans 15:27

28After I have safely delivered this money, I will visit you and then go on to Spain.Select Romans 15:28

29And when I do arrive in Rome, I know it will be with the full blessings of Christ.Select Romans 15:29

30My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me.Select Romans 15:30

31Pray that God will protect me from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his people in Jerusalem will be pleased with what I am doing.Select Romans 15:31

32Ask God to let me come to you and have a pleasant and refreshing visit.Select Romans 15:32

33I pray that God, who gives peace, will be with all of you. Amen.Select Romans 15:33