Read the Bible

¹ I add, we that are better inform'd ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not study our own pleasure. ² let every one of us consult the good of his neighbour to his edification. ³ for even Christ did not consult his own satisfaction; but as it is written , "the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me." ⁴ now whatever was heretofore writ, was writ for our instruction; that we through patience and the comfortable promises of the scriptures might have hope.

⁵ May the God of patience and consolation, make you equally concern'd for one another, according to the example of Christ Jesus, ⁶ that ye may unanimously with one voice glorify God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁷ wherefore be kindly affected to one another, as Christ was to you, that you might glorify God. ⁸ for I tell you, that Jesus Christ was a minister to the Jews, to manifest the veracity of God in fulfilling the promises made to the fathers: ⁹ and you Gentiles ought to 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 the scripture saith , "rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people." ¹¹ and elsewhere , praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and laud him, all ye people." ¹² besides Esaias saith, "there shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope."

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 spirit.

¹⁴ As to myself, I am persuaded, my brethren, that you abound in goodness, and in variety of knowledge, and are able to instruct one another. ¹⁵ nevertheless, brethren, I have writ to the Gentile part of you, and admonish'd you with the greater freedom by virtue of the commission that God has given me, ¹⁶ to be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, officiating the gospel of God, that the Gentiles might be made an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the holy spirit.

¹⁷ I have therefore matter of glorying thro' Jesus Christ, with respect to divine service. ¹⁸ for I will not offer to mention any thing, but what Christ has wrought by me, to make the Gentiles christians, both in profession and practice: ¹⁹ by virtue of the miracles and prodigies wrought by the power of the divine spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and the neighbouring country, quite to Illyricum, ²⁰ I have effectually preached the gospel of Christ: yet so as studiously to avoid preaching it where Christ was owned, lest I should build upon another man's foundation; for, ²¹ as it is written, "they to whom he was not mentioned, shall see: and they that have not heard, shall understand."

²² This has chiefly hindred me from coming to you. ²³ but now there being no further occasion for me in these parts, and having had a great desire these many years to visit you; ²⁴ when I take my journey into Spain, I hope to see you in my way, and be forwarded by you to that place, after having for some time enjoy'd the pleasure of your company. ²⁵ but now I am going to Jerusalem, to distribute charity to the converts. ²⁶ for those of Macedonia and Achaia, have thought fit to make a contribution for the poor converts at Jerusalem. ²⁷ they have thought fit, I say, and they owed them as much. for if the Gentiles have participated of their spirituals, they are bound on their side to minister to them in their temporals. ²⁸ when I have dispatch'd this affair, and have secur'd to them this collection, I will come to you in my way to Spain. ²⁹ and I know that when I do come, I shall come charged with the blessings of Christ.

³⁰ in the mean time, I conjure you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the spirit, that you join with me in earnest prayers to God for me; ³¹ that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea; and that the charitable service which I am employed about, for the converts at Jerusalem, may be acceptable to them: ³² that by the will of God we may meet with joy, and rest together in peace. ³³ now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.