15:1  Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not {just} please ourselves.

15:2  Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

15:3  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME."

15:4  For whatever was written in earlier times was written 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 be of 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 it is written, "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 am convinced that you yourselves are full of 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 was given me from God,

15:16  to be 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 Christ was {already} named, so that I would not build on another man's foundation;

15:21  but as it is written, "THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND."

15:22  For this reason I have often been prevented 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 to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while--

15:25  but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.

15:26  For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

15:27  Yes, they were pleased {to do so,} and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted 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.

15:30  Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

15:31  that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and {that} my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;

15:32  so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find {refreshing} rest in your company.

15:33  Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.