Romans

The epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans, chapter 15, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 15 New English Translation

Exhortation for the Strong to Help the Weak

   1 But we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not just 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 just as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4 For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope. 5 Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Exhortation to Mutual Acceptance

   7 Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to God's glory. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God's truth to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and thus the Gentiles glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Because of this I will confess you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises to your name." 10 And again it says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." 11 And again, "Praise the LORD all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him." 12 And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, and the one who rises to rule over the Gentiles, in him will the Gentiles hope." 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul's Motivation for Writing the Letter

   14 But I myself am fully 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 more boldly to you on some points so as to remind you, because of the grace given to me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I serve the gospel of God like a priest, so that the Gentiles may become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
   17 So I boast in Christ Jesus about the things that pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in order 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 even as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And in this way I desire to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person's foundation, 21 but as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."

Paul's Intention of Visiting the Romans

   22 This is the reason I was often hindered from coming to you. 23 But now there is nothing more to keep me in these regions, and I have for many years desired to come to you 24 when I go to Spain. For I hope to visit you when I pass through and that you will help me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
   25 But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do this, and indeed they are indebted to the Jerusalem saints. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are obligated also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore after I have completed this and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set out for Spain by way of you, 29 and I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of Christ's blessing.
   30 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, through our LORD Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join fervently with me in prayer to God on my behalf. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea and that my ministry in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 Now may the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.

King James Version

   1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
   2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
   3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
   4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
   5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
   6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
   7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
   8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
   9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
   10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
   11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
   12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
   13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
   14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
   15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
   16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
   17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
   18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
   19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
   20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
   21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
   22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
   23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
   24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
   25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
   26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
   27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
   28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
   29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
   30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
   31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
   32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
   33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.