15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. |
15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to 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 things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. |
15:5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, |
15:6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
15:7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. |
15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, |
15:9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: |
15:10 And again he says: |
15:11 And again: |
15:12 And again, Isaiah says: |
15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. |
15:14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. |
15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, |
15:16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. |
15:17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. |
15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— |
15:19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. |
15:20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, |
15:21 but as it is written: |
15:22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. |
15:23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, |
15:24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. |
15:25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. |
15:26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. |
15:27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. |
15:28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. |
15:29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. |
15:30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, |
15:31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, |
15:32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. |
15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. |