Romans

Pleasing Others

We, the strong and free, should carry the weakness of those who are not strong instead of seeking our own pleasure.

Let each of us bring joy to our neighbors by helping them for a good purpose, for building up.

Christ himself did not seek his own satisfaction, as scripture says: The insults of those insulting you fell upon me.

And we know that whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, for both perseverance and comfort, given to us by the scripture, to sustain our hope.

May God, the source of all perseverance and comfort, grant you all peace in Christ Jesus,

so that you may praise God, the Father of Christ Jesus, our Lord, with one voice.

The Good News for Jews and Gentiles

Welcome one another, as Christ welcomed you for the glory of God.

Look: Christ put himself at the service of the Jewish world to fulfill the promises made by God to their ancestors; here you see God’s faithfulness.

The pagans instead, give thanks to God for his mercy, as scripture says: Because of that, I will sing and praise your name among the pagans.

And elsewhere: Rejoice, pagan nations, together with God’s people.

And again: Praise the Lord, all people, and let all nations speak of his magnificence.

Isaiah says: A descendant of Jesse will come who will rule the pagan nations, and they will hope in him.

May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith, so that your hope may grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s Mission to the Gentiles 14As for me, brothers and sisters, I am confident that you have goodwill, knowledge, and the ability to advise each other.

However, I have written boldly at some points in this letter to remind you of what you already know. I do this in accordance with the grace that God has given me

when I was sent to the pagan nations. I dedicated myself to serving the Good News of God as a minister of Christ Jesus, aiming to present the non-Jews to God as an acceptable offering, consecrated by the Holy Spirit.

This service of God is a source of pride for me, in Christ Jesus.

Of course, I would not dare to speak of other things, but what Christ himself has done through me—my words and my works,

with miracles and signs—by the power of the Holy Spirit—so that non-Jews may obey the faith. In this way, I have extended the Good News to all parts, from Jerusalem to Illyricum.

I have been very careful, and I am proud of this, not to preach in places where Christ is already known, nor to build upon foundations laid by others.

Let it be as scripture says: Those who have not been told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.

This work has kept me from coming to you.

But now there is no more place for me in these regions and, as I have wanted for so long to go and see you,

I hope to visit you when I go to Spain. Then you could help me go there, once I have enjoyed being with you for a time.

I’m heading to Jerusalem now to assist that community.

Know that the churches of Macedonia and Achaia have decided to contribute to the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.

They have decided to do that, and in fact, they were indebted to them. For the non-Jews have shared the spiritual goods of the Jews, and now they must help them materially.

So I am supposed to finish this task and give over the amount that has been collected. Then I will come to you, and from there, go to Spain.

And I am sure that when I go to you, I will go with all the blessings of God.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by Christ Jesus our Lord and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in prayer to God;

pray that I may avoid the traps set by the enemies of faith in Judea and that the Jerusalem community will welcome the help I bring.

And so I will go to you with joy and, God willing, be refreshed in your company.

May the God of peace be with you. Amen.