Accept One Another

1We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ (the Anointed One) did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me <Psa 69:9>.”a 4For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction {didaskalian}, so that through endurance (perseverance) and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

5Now may the God {Theos} who gives endurance (perseverance) and encouragement grant you⁺ harmony with one another in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves), 6so that with one mind and one voice you⁺ may glorify the God {Theon} and Father {Patera} of our Lord {Kyriou} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One).

Christ the Servant of Jews and Gentiles

7Accept one another, then, just as Christ (the Anointed One) accepted you⁺, in order to bring glory {doxan} to God {Theou}. 8For I tell you that Christ (the Anointed One) has become a servant {diakonon} of the circumcised on behalf of God’s {Theou} truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs {paterōn}, 9so that the Gentiles {ethnē} may glorify God {Theon} for His mercy (compassion). As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles {ethnesin};

I will sing hymns to Your name <2Sa 22:50; Psa 18:49>.”b

10Again, it says:

“Rejoice, O Gentiles {ethnē}, with His people <Deu 32:43>.”c

11And again:

“Praise the Lord {Kyrion}, all you Gentiles {ethnē},

and extol Him, all you peoples <Psa 117:1>.”d

12And once more, Isaiah (YHWH saves) says:

“The Root of Jesse (gift) will appear,

One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles {ethnōn};

in Him the Gentiles {ethnē} will put their hope <Isa 11:10>.”e

13Now may the God {Theos} of hope fill you⁺ with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you⁺ may overflow with hope by the power {dynamei} of the Holy Spirit {Hagiou Pneumatos}.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14I myself am convinced, my brothers (and sisters), that you⁺ yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15However, I have written you⁺ a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God {Theou} has given me 16to be a minister of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves) to the Gentiles {ethnē} in the priestly service of the gospel (good news) of God {Theou}, so that the Gentiles {ethnōn} might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit {Hagiō Pneumati}.

17Therefore I exult in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves) in my service to God {Theon}. 18I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ (the Anointed One) has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles {ethnōn} to obedience by word and deed, 19by the power {dynamei} of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit {Pneumatos} of God [the power of the Spirit].f So from Jerusalem (city of peace) all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel (good news) of Christ (the Anointed One).

20In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel (good news) where Christ (the Anointed One) was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21Rather, as it is written:

“Those who were not told about Him will see,

and those who have not heard will understand <Isa 52:15>.”g

22That is why I have often been hindered from coming to you⁺.

Paul’s Travel Plans
(1 Corinthians 16:5–9)

23But now that there are no further opportunities for me in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to visit you⁺, 24I hope to see you⁺ on my way to Spain. And after I have enjoyed your⁺ company for a while, you⁺ can equip me for my journey.

25Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem (city of peace) to serve {diakonōn} the saints there. 26For Macedonia and Achaia (southern Greece) were pleased to make a contribution {koinōnian} for the poor among the saints (holy ones) in Jerusalem (city of peace). 27They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles {ethnē} have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.

28So after I have completed this service and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set off to Spain by way of you⁺. 29I know that when I come to you⁺, I will come in the fullness of the blessing [of the gospel.]h of Christ (the Anointed One).

30Now I urge you⁺, brothers (and sisters), by our Lord {Kyriou} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One) and by the love {agapēs} of the Spirit {Pneumatos}, to join me in my struggle by praying to God {Theon} for me. 31Pray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea (land of praise), and that my service {diakonia} in Jerusalem (city of peace) may be acceptable to the saints there, 32so that by God’s {Theou} will I may come to you⁺ with joy and together with you⁺ be refreshed.

33The God {Theos} of peace be with all of you⁺. Amen.i