Accept One Another

1But we who are stronger must bear with the feebleness of the weak, and not so as to please ourselves. 2Each one of you should please his neighbor unto good, for edification. 3For even Christ did not please himself, but as it was written: “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell upon me.” 4For whatever was written, was written to teach us, so that, through patience and the consolation of the Scriptures, we might have hope. 5So may the God of patience and solace grant you to be of one mind toward one another, in accord with Jesus Christ, 6so that, together with one mouth, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ the Servant of Jews and Gentiles

7For this reason, accept one another, just as Christ also has accepted you, in the honor of God.

8For I declare that Christ Jesus was the minister of circumcision because of the truth of God, so as to confirm the promises to the fathers,

9and that the Gentiles are to honor God because of his mercy, just as it was written: “Because of this, I will confess you among the Gentiles, O Lord, and I will sing to your name.”

10And again, he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, along with his people.”

11And again: “All Gentiles, praise the Lord; and all peoples, magnify him.”

12And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse, and he shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, and in him the Gentiles shall hope.”

13So may the God of hope fill you with every joy and with peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope and in the virtue of the Holy Spirit.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14But I am also certain about you, my brothers, that you also have been filled with love, completed with all knowledge, so that you are able to admonish one another. 15But I have written to you, brothers, more boldly than to the others, as if calling you to mind again, because of the grace which has been given to me from God, 16so that I may be a minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles, sanctifying the Gospel of God, in order that the oblation of the Gentiles may be made acceptable and may be sanctified in the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore, I have glory in Christ Jesus before God. 18So I dare not speak of any of those things which Christ does not effect through me, unto the obedience of the Gentiles, in word and deed, 19with the power of signs and wonders, by power of the Holy Spirit. For in this way, from Jerusalem, throughout its surroundings, as far as Illyricum, I have replenished the Gospel of Christ. 20And so I have preached this Gospel, not where Christ was known by name, lest I build upon the foundation of another,

21but just as it was written: “Those to whom he was not announced shall perceive, and those who have not heard shall understand.”

22Because of this also, I was greatly hindered in coming to you, and I have been prevented until the present time.

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

23Yet truly now, having no other destination in these regions, and having already had a great desire to come to you over the past many years, 24when I begin to set out on my journey to Spain, I hope that, as I pass by, I may see you, and I may be guided from there by you, after first having borne some fruit among you. 25But next I will set out for Jerusalem, to minister to the saints. 26For those of Macedonia and Achaia have decided to make a collection for those of the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem. 27And this has pleased them, because they are in their debt. For, since the Gentiles have become partakers of their spiritual things, they also ought to minister to them in worldly things. 28Therefore, when I have completed this task, and have consigned to them this fruit, I shall set out, by way of you, to Spain. 29And I know that when I come to you I shall arrive with an abundance of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ.

30Therefore, I beg you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and though the love of the Holy Spirit, that you assist me with your prayers to God on my behalf, 31so that I may be freed from the unfaithful who are in Judea, and so that the oblation of my service may be acceptable to the saints in Jerusalem. 32So may I come to you with joy, through the will of God, and so may I be refreshed with you. 33And may the God of peace be with you all. Amen.