1We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Ro 14:1; Ga 6:1; 1Th 5:14)2Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. (1Co 9:19; 1Co 9:22; 1Co 10:24; 1Co 10:33; Php 2:4)3For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” (Ps 69:9; Joh 5:30; Joh 6:38; Php 2:5; Php 2:8)4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Ps 119:50; Ro 4:23; 2Ti 3:16)5May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, (Ro 12:16)6that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Joh 20:17; 2Co 1:3; Eph 1:3; Eph 1:17; 1Pe 1:3; Re 1:6)7Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles
8For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, (Mt 15:24; Joh 1:11; Ac 3:26; Ro 4:16; 2Co 1:20; Heb 3:1)9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” (2Sa 22:50; Ps 18:49; Ro 3:29)10And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” (De 32:43)11And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” (Ps 117:1)12And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” (Isa 11:1; Isa 11:10; Mt 12:21; Re 5:5; Re 22:16)13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Ro 5:1; Ro 14:17)
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers,[1] that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. (1Co 1:5; 1Co 8:1; 1Co 8:7; 1Co 8:10; 1Co 12:8; 1Co 13:2; 2Pe 1:12; 2Pe 3:1; 1Jo 2:21)15But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God (Ro 1:5)16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Isa 66:20; Mal 1:11; Ro 11:13; Php 2:17)17In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. (Php 3:3; Heb 2:17; Heb 5:1)18For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, (Ac 15:12; Ac 21:19; Ro 1:5; Ga 2:8)19by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; (Ac 19:11; Ac 20:1; Ac 22:17; 2Co 12:12)20and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, (2Co 10:13; 2Co 10:15)21but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (Isa 52:15)
Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome
22This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. (Ro 1:13; 1Th 2:18)23But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, (Ac 19:21; Ro 1:10; Ro 15:29; Ro 15:32)24I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. (Ac 15:3; Ro 15:28)25At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. (Ac 19:21; Ac 20:22; Ac 21:15; Ac 24:17; Ro 15:31)26For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. (1Co 16:1; 2Co 8:1; 2Co 9:2; 2Co 9:13)27For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. (1Co 9:11; Ga 6:6)28When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected,[2] I will leave for Spain by way of you. (Ro 15:24)29I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing[3] of Christ.30I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, (2Co 1:11; Php 2:1; Col 1:8; Col 2:1; Col 4:12; Heb 13:18)31that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, (2Co 8:4; 2Th 3:2; 2Ti 3:11; 2Ti 4:17)32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. (1Co 16:18; 2Co 7:13; Phm 1:7; Phm 1:20)33May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Ro 16:20; 1Co 14:33; 2Co 13:11; Php 4:9; 1Th 5:23; 2Th 3:16; Heb 13:20)
Romans 15
New International Version
1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.2Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up.3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’ (Ps 69:9)4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind towards each other that Christ Jesus had,6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[1] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed9and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: ‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.’[2] (2Sa 22:50; Ps 18:49)10Again, it says, ‘Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.’ (De 32:43)11And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.’ (Ps 117:1)12And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.’[3] (Isa 11:10)13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul the minister to the Gentiles
14I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.15Yet I have written to you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.18I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done –19by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.20It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.21Rather, as it is written: ‘Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.’[4] (Isa 52:15)22This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Paul’s plan to visit Rome
23But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,24I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and that you will assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.25Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there.26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.27They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.28So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.30I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.31Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favourably received by the Lord’s people there,32so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.33The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Romans 15
King James Version
1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.2Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.3For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.5Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:6That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.7Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:9And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.10And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.11And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.12And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.15Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:21But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.22For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.23But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;24Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.25But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.28When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.29And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.30Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;31That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;32That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Romans 15
New International Reader’s Version
1We who have strong faith should help the weak with their problems. We should not please only ourselves.2Each of us should please our neighbours. Let us do what is good for them in order to build them up.3Even Christ did not please himself. It is written, ‘The bad things people have said about you have been aimed at me also.’ (Ps 69:9)4Everything written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They encourage us and give us hope.5Our God is a God who strengthens and encourages you. May he give you the same attitude towards one another that Christ Jesus had.6Then you can give glory to God with one mind and voice. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.7Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God.8I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews. He teaches us that God is true. He shows us that God will keep the promises he made to the founders of our nation.9Jesus became a servant of the Jews. He did this so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercy. It is written, ‘I will praise you among the Gentiles. I will sing the praises of your name.’ (2Sa 22:50; Ps 18:49)10Again it says, ‘You Gentiles, be full of joy. Be joyful together with God’s people.’ (De 32:43)11And again it says, ‘All you Gentiles, praise the Lord. Let all the nations sing praises to him.’ (Ps 117:1)12And Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will grow up quickly. He will rule over the nations. The Gentiles will put their hope in him.’ (Isa 11:10)13May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
Paul serves the Gentiles
14My brothers and sisters, I am sure that you are full of goodness. You are filled with knowledge and able to teach one another.15But I have written to you very boldly about some things. I wanted to remind you of them again. The grace of God has allowed me16to serve Christ Jesus among the Gentiles. I have the duty of a priest to preach God’s good news. Then the Gentiles will become an offering that pleases God. The Holy Spirit will make the offering holy.17Because I belong to Christ Jesus, I can take pride in my work for God.18I will speak about what Christ has done through me. I won’t try to speak about anything else. He has been leading the Gentiles to obey God. He has been doing this by what I have said and done.19He has given me power to do signs and wonders. I can do these things by the power of the Spirit of God. From Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have finished preaching. In those places, I preached the good news about Christ.20I have always wanted to preach the good news where Christ was not known. I don’t want to build on what someone else has started.21It is written, ‘Those who were not told about him will understand. Those who have not heard will know what it all means.’ (Isa 52:15)22That’s why I have often been kept from coming to you.
Paul plans to visit Rome
23Now there is no more place for me to work in those areas. For many years I have wanted to visit you.24So I plan to see you when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while I am passing through. And I hope you will help me on my journey there. But first I want to enjoy being with you for a while.25Now I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the Lord’s people there.26The believers in Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to take an offering. It was for those who were poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.27They were happy to do it. And of course they owe it to them. The Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings. So the Gentiles should share their earthly blessings with the Jews.28I want to finish my task. I want to make sure that the poor in Jerusalem have received this offering. Then I will go to Spain. On my way I will visit you.29I know that when I come to you, I will come with the full blessing of Christ.30Brothers and sisters, I ask you to join me in my struggle. Join me by praying to God for me. I ask this through the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for me with the love the Holy Spirit provides.31Pray that I will be kept safe from those in Judea who do not believe. I am taking the offering to Jerusalem. Pray that it will be welcomed by the Lord’s people there.32Then I will come to you with joy just as God has planned. We will be renewed by being together.33May the God who gives peace be with you all. Amen.