Accept One Another

1But we ought, we that are strong, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2Let each one of us please his neighbour with a view to what is good, to edification. 3For the Christ also did not please himself; but according as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproach thee have fallen upon me. 4For as many things as have been written before have been written for our instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5Now the God of endurance and of encouragement give to you to be like-minded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus; 6that ye may with one accord, with one mouth, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7Wherefore receive ye one another, according as the Christ also has received you to [the] glory of God.

Christ the Servant of Jews and Gentiles

8For I say that Jesus Christ became a minister of [the] circumcision for [the] truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers;

9and that the nations should glorify God for mercy; according as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among [the] nations, and will sing to thy name.

10And again he says, Rejoice, nations, with his people.

11And again, Praise the Lord, all [ye] nations, and let all the peoples laud him.

12And again, Esaias says, There shall be the root of Jesse, and one that arises, to rule over [the] nations: in him shall [the] nations hope.

13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that ye should abound in hope by [the] power of [the] Holy Spirit.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14But I am persuaded, my brethren, I myself also, concerning you, that yourselves also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15But I have written to you the more boldly, [brethren,] in part, as putting you in mind, because of the grace given to me by God, 16for me to be minister of Christ Jesus to the nations, carrying on as a sacrificial service the [message of] glad tidings of God, in order that the offering up of the nations might be acceptable, sanctified by [the] Holy Spirit. 17I have therefore [whereof to] boast in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18For I will not dare to speak anything of the things which Christ has not wrought by me, for [the] obedience of [the] nations, by word and deed, 19in [the] power of signs and wonders, in [the] power of [the] Spirit of God; so that I, from Jerusalem, and in a circuit round to Illyricum, have fully preached the glad tidings of the Christ; 20and so aiming to announce the glad tidings, not where Christ has been named, that I might not build upon another's foundation;

21but according as it is written, To whom there was nothing told concerning him, they shall see; and they that have not heard shall understand.

22Wherefore also I have been often hindered from coming to you.

Paul's Plan to Visit Spain and Rome

(1 Corinthians 16:5-9)

23But now, having no longer place in these regions, and having great desire to come to you these many years, 24whenever I should go to Spain; (for I hope to see you as I go through, and by you to be set forward thither, if first I shall have been in part filled with your company;) 25but now I go to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints; 26for Macedonia and Achaia have been well pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints who [are] in Jerusalem. 27They have been well pleased indeed, and they are their debtors; for if the nations have participated in their spiritual things, they ought also in fleshly to minister to them. 28Having finished this therefore, and having sealed to them this fruit, I will set off by you into Spain. 29But I know that, coming to you, I shall come in [the] fulness of [the] blessing of Christ.

30But I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in prayers for me to God; 31that I may be saved from those that do not believe in Judaea; and that my ministry which [I have] for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; 32in order that I may come to you in joy by God's will, and that I may be refreshed with you. 33And the God of peace be with you all. Amen.