Chapter 15

Now we, the strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Let every one of you please his neighbor by doing good, for his edification;

for Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproach thee have fallen upon me."

For whatever things have been written have been written for our instruction, that through the patience and the consolation afforded by the Scriptures we may have hope.

May then the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind towards one another according to Jesus Christ;

that, one in spirit, you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mercy

Wherefore receive one another, even as Christ has received you to the honor of God.

For I say that Christ Jesus has been a minister of the circumcision in order to show God's fidelity in confirming the promises made to our fathers,

but that the Gentiles glorify God because of his mercy, as it is written, "Therefore will I praise thee among the Gentiles, And will sing to thy name."

And again he says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."

And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; And sing his praises, all you peoples."

And again Isaias says, "There shall be the root of Jesse, and he who shall arise to rule the Gentiles... in him the Gentiles shall hope."

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Apostle of the Gentiles

Now I for my part, my brethren, am convinced with regard to you that you yourselves are full of love, filled with all knowledge, so that you are able to admonish one another.

But I have written to you rather boldly here and there, brethren---as it were to refresh your memory---because of the grace that has been given me by God,

that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles; sanctifying the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles may become acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

I have therefore this boast in Christ Jesus as regards the work of God.

For I do not make bold to mention anything but what Christ has wrought through me to bring about the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

with mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that from Jerusalem round about as far as Illyricum I have completed the evangelization of Christ.

But I have not preached this gospel where Christ has already been named, lest I might build on another man's foundation; but even as it is written,

"They who have not been told of him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand." St. Paul's Plans

This is why I was hindered these many times from coming to you.

But now, having no more work in these parts, and having had for many years a great desire to come to you,

when I set out for Spain I hope to see you as I pass through (and by you to be sped on my way there), having first enjoyed being with you for a while.

Now, however, I will set out for Jerusalem to minister to the saints.

For Macedonia and Achaia have thought it well to make a contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.

So it has pleased them, and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they should also minister to them in material things.

Therefore, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them the proceeds, I will set out by way of you for Spain.

And I know that when I come to you, I shall come with the fullness of Christ's blessing. Request for Prayers

Now I exhort you, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the charity of the Spirit, that you help me by your prayers to God for me,

that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that the offering of my service may be acceptable to the saints in Jerusalem;

that I may come to you in joy, by the will of God, and may be refreshed with you.

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.