Now we who have an obligation to carry the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please our neighbor for their good, to build them up. For even Christ didn’t please himself. But as it is written, “The insults of those who insulted you fell on me.”+Psa 69:9 For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God of perseverance and encouragement grant y’all to be of the same mind with each another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one mind and one voice y’all may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore y’all are to accept one another, just as Christ also accepted y’all, Now I say that Christ has been made a deacon of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers, and that the ethnic groups might glorify God for ʜɪꜱ mercy. As it is written,
“Because of this I will publicly acknowledge you among the ethnic groups and play instruments to your name.”+2 Sam 22:49Again it says,
“Y’all rejoice, ethnic groups, with ʜɪꜱ people.”+Deut 32:43Again,
“Y’all praise the Lord, all ethnic groups! Let all the peoples praise ʜɪᴍ.”+Psa 117:1Again, Isaiah says,
“There will come the root of Jesse, the one who arises to rule over the ethnic groups, in him the ethnic groups will hope.”+Isa 11:10Now may the God of hope fill y’all with all joy and peace in believing, so that y’all may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles
I myself am also convinced about y’all, my siblings, that y’all are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others. But I write boldly to y’all on some points to remind y’all, because of the grace that was given to me by God, that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God, so that the offering up of the ethnic groups might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I boast in Christ Jesus about the things pertaining to God. For I will not dare to speak of anything except that Christ worked through me for the obedience of the ethnic groups, by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yes, it is my aim to preach the gospel, where Christ was not already known, so that I might not build on another’s foundation. But, as it is written,
“Those who were not told will see. They who haven’t heard will understand.”+Isa 52:15For this reason, I was hindered many times from coming to y’all, but now that I no longer have any place in these regions, and have for many years had a longing to come to y’all, when I travel to Spain, I will come to y’all. For I hope to see y’all on my journey and that y’all will help me on my way there after I enjoy your* company for a while. But now, I am going to Jerusalem to serve the saints. For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem. Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they have become indebted to them. For if the ethnic groups have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in material things. After I have accomplished this, and put a seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on to Spain by way of y’all. I know that when I come to y’all, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
Now I beg y’all, siblings, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that y’all join with me in your* prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my deacon-work which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to y’all in joy through the will of God and find rest being with y’all. Now may the God of peace be with y’all all. Amen.