1 We who are able should bear with the weaknesses of the unable and not only please ourselves. 2 Each one should please others for their benefit and for building them up. 3 For even Christ didn’t please himself, but in accordance with what is written, “The insults of those who insulted you fell on me.” 4 Whatever was written before was for our instruction, so that through the endurance and comfort of the scripture we would have hope. 5 And now may the God of endurance and comfort grant you the same attitude toward each other as that of Christ Jesus, 6 so that, with one mind and voice, you may honor the God and Father of our Master Jesus Christ. 7 So accept each other as Christ accepted you, to the honor of God.
8 I am saying that Christ became a servant to the people of Israel, for the sake of the truth of God, in order to confirm the promises to the ancestors. 9 Yet the other nations are to honor God for his mercy, as it is written: “Because of this I will acclaim you among the other nations and play music to your Name.” 10 And again he says, “Celebrate, you other nations, with his people!” 11 Yet again, “Praise the Master, all the other nations,” and “Let all the peoples greatly praise him!” 12 And again, Isaiah says, “There will be the Root of Jesse, the One who rises to be the ruler of the other nations; the other nations will rely on him.”
Paul’s service to the Gentiles
13 Now may the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace in the faith, so you will overflow in the hope of the power of the Holy Spirit. 14 I myself have been convinced, sisters and brothers, that you are good through and through, having been filled with all knowledge, able to caution each other. 15 Yet I still boldly write to you in part to remind you, because of the favor given to me under God, 16 that I should be a priest of Christ Jesus to the other nations. I act as a priest of the good news of God, so that the offering is well-accepted by the other nations and made holy by the Holy Spirit.
17 So, because of Christ Jesus, I have a reason to brag about what I do for God. 18 For I do not dare to speak about anything except that which Christ did through me, leading to the obedience of the other nations, whether in word and actions, 19 in the power of signs and miracles, or in the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, from Jerusalem and around into Illyricum, I have finished bringing the good news of Christ. 20 For that reason I am ambitious to bring the good news where the Name of Christ has not yet been known, so that I don’t build upon someone else’s foundation. 21 Instead, as it is written, “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard about him will understand.”
Paul wants to see them in person
22 This is the reason I have often been prevented from coming to visit you. 23 But now, since there is no more remaining for me to do in these regions, and since I have for many years ached to see you, 24 I hope to see you on my way to Spain. Then you can send me on my way from there, after I have been with you for a while. 25 But first I am going to Jerusalem to attend to the holy ones. 26 For those in Macedonia and Achaia were happy to make a contribution for the poor among the holy ones in Jerusalem. 27 They were happy to do this because they are indebted to them; because if the other nations became partners with them in spiritual things, then they should also provide priestly service to them in physical things. 28 So when I have completed this and delivered these proceeds to them, I will visit you on my way to Spain. 29 And I know that when I come to you I will come with the full blessing of Christ.
30 Now I plead with you, brothers and sisters, through our Master Jesus Christ and the love of the Spirit, to fight together with me in prayers for my sake to God, 31 so that I will be rescued from those in Judea who oppose the faith, and that my service to the holy ones in Jerusalem will be well-received. 32 Then I can come to you in joy, God willing, and will rest together with you. 33 Now may the God of Peace be with all of you, absolutely!