15 1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The insults of those who insulted you fell on me." 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May our Father, who gives endurance and encouragement, grant that you live in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together, with one voice, you may glorify our Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore welcome one another, as Christ also welcomed you, for the glory of our Father. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show our Father's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the nations might glorify our Father for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the nations, and sing to your name."
10 And again it says, "Rejoice, nations, with his people."
11 And again, "Praise our Father, all you nations, and let all the peoples praise him." a a v11 This line quotes a psalm calling every nation on earth to praise the One whom FHB names throughout as our Father.
12 And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, the one who rises to rule the nations; in him the nations will hope."
13 May our Father, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may overflow with hope. b b v13 Joy and peace do not come from exhausting striving. They come 'in believing' — by actively resting in the goodness and promises of our Father.
The Father's Grace on Paul's Mission
14 I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 But I have written to you rather boldly on some points, as a reminder, because of the grace given to me by our Father, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the nations, serving as a priest of the gospel of our Father, so that the offering of the nations might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for our Father. 18 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the nations to obedience, by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of our Father—so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I make it my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ has not already been named, so that I would not build on someone else's foundation, 21 but as it is written, "Those who were never told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."
22 This is why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.
Paul's Plans to Visit Rome
23 But now, since I no longer have any place for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you as I pass through on my way to Spain, and to have you help me on my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while. 25 But for now I am going to Jerusalem, bringing aid to our Father's people. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among our Father's people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the nations have shared in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to help them with material support. 28 So when I have finished this and have safely delivered to them what was collected, I will set out for Spain by way of you. 29 And I know that when I come to you, I will come with the full blessing of Christ.
30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to our Father on my behalf, 31 that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to our Father's people, 32 so that by our Father's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you. 33 May our Father, the source of peace, be with you all. Amen.