15 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the powerless and not just please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, for building him up. 3 For even Messiah did not please Himself, but as it is written, “The insults of those who insulted You have fallen on Me.” [a] 4 For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, so that through patience and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. [b] 5 Now may the God of patience and encouragement grant you to be like-minded with one another in the manner of Messiah Yeshua, 6 so that together with one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
Salvation for Gentiles Too
7 Therefore accept one another just as Messiah also accepted you, to the glory of God. 8 For I declare that Messiah has become a servant to the circumcised for the sake of God’s truth, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy. As it is written,
“For this reason I will give You praise among the Gentiles,
and I will sing to Your name.”[c]
10 And again it says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”[d]
11 And again,
“Praise Adonai all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples praise Him.”[e]
12 And again, Isaiah says,
“There shall be a shoot of Jesse;
and the One who arises to rule the Gentiles,
in Him shall the Gentiles hope.”[f]
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and shalom in trusting, so you may overflow with hope in the power of the Ruach ha-Kodesh.
14 Now I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and also able to counsel one another. 15 But I have written rather boldly to you on some points as a reminder—because of the grace given to me by God 16 to be a servant of Messiah Yeshua to the Gentiles, in priestly service to the Good News of God—so that the offering up of the Gentiles might be pleasing,[g] made holy by the Ruach ha-Kodesh.
17 So in Messiah Yeshua, I have reason to boast before God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Messiah accomplished through me, to bring about the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem and around even to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the Good News of Messiah. 20 In this way I make it my aim to proclaim the Good News not where Messiah was already named, lest I build on another person’s foundation, 21 but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told shall see,
and those who have not heard shall understand.”[h]
Going to the Ends of the Earth
22 For this reason I was often hindered from coming to you. 23 But now with no place in these regions, and since I have had a desire for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you while traveling through when I go to Spain—and to be helped on my journey there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a bit.
25 But now I am going to Jerusalem, bringing aid to the kedoshim. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are under obligation to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they also ought to serve them in material blessings. 28 So when I have finished delivering the collection safely to them, I will head for Spain by way of you. 29 Now I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Messiah.
30 Now I urge you, brethren, through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah and through the love of the Ruach, to press on together with me—with prayers to God on my behalf. 31 Pray that I might be rescued from the unbelieving Judeans, and that my service for Jerusalem might be acceptable to the kedoshim. 32 Then, God willing, I may come to you in joy, and together with you find rest.
33 Now may the God of shalom be with you all. Amen.
Footnotes
- Romans 15:4 Ps. 69:9(68:10 LXX).
- Romans 15:5 cf. Ps. 119:9, 11, 105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
- Romans 15:9 2 Sam. 22:50; Ps. 18:49(17:50 LXX).
- Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43(LXX).
- Romans 15:11 Ps. 117:1(116:1 LXX).
- Romans 15:12 Isa. 11:10.
- Romans 15:16 cf. Mal. 3:4; Isa. 66:20.
- Romans 15:21 Isa. 52:15(LXX).