15:1 Now we who have strength ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. |
15:2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. |
15:3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as the scriptures read, " THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." |
15:4 For whatever scripture said in earlier times we received for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. |
15:5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to have the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, |
15:6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
15:7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. |
15:8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, |
15:9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as the scriptures read, " THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME." |
15:10 Again he says, " REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE." |
15:11 And again, " PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM." |
15:12 Again Isaiah says, " THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES,IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE." |
15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. |
15:14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also feel convinced that you yourselves abound in goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. |
15:15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that God gave me , |
15:16 to serve as a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. |
15:17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. |
15:18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, |
15:19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. |
15:20 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where they already named Christ , so that I would not build on another man's foundation; |
15:21 but as the scriptures read, " THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND." |
15:22 For this reason God has often prevented me from coming to you; |
15:23 but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you |
15:24 whenever I go to Spain--for I hope to see you in passing, and receive help on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while-- |
15:25 but now, I go to Jerusalem serving the saints. |
15:26 For Macedonia and Achaia have willingly made a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. |
15:27 Yes, they took pleasure in doing so, and they owe a debt to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they owe a debt to minister to them also in material things. |
15:28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. |
15:29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. |