章 |
15:1 |
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not [just] please ourselves.
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15:2 |
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
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15:3 |
For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell upon Me."
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15:4 |
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
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15:5 |
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus;
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15:6 |
that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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15:7 |
Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
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15:8 |
For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises [given] to the fathers,
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15:9 |
and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, "Therefore I will give praise to Thee among the Gentiles, And I will sing to Thy name."
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15:10 |
And again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people."
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15:11 |
And again, "Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him."
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15:12 |
And again Isaiah says, "There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him shall the Gentiles hope."
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15:13 |
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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15:14 |
And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able also to admonish one another.
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15:15 |
But I have written very boldly to you on some points, so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,
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15:16 |
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, that [my] offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
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15:17 |
Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.
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15:18 |
For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,
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15:19 |
in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
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15:20 |
And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was [already] named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation;
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15:21 |
but as it is written, "They who had no news of Him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand."
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15:22 |
For this reason I have often been hindered from coming to you;
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15:23 |
but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you
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15:24 |
whenever I go to Spain-- for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while--
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15:25 |
but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.
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15:26 |
For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
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15:27 |
Yes, they were pleased [to do so], and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.
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15:28 |
Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
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15:29 |
And I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.
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15:30 |
Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
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15:31 |
that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and [that] my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;
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15:32 |
so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find [refreshing] rest in your company.
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15:33 |
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
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