Romans, 15

1. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

1. We, the strong and liberated, should bear the weakness of those who are not strong, instead of pleasing ourselves.

2. Let every one of us please [his] neighbour for [his] good to edification.

2. Let each of us bring joy to our neighbors helping them for the good purpose, for building up.

3. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

3. Christ himself did not look for his own contentment, as Scripture says: The insults of those insulting you fell upon me.

4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

4. And we know that whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, for both perseverance and comfort given us by the Scripture sustain our hope.

5. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

5. May God, the source of all perseverance and comfort, give to all of you to live in peace in Christ Jesus,

6. That ye may with one mind [and] one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

6. that you may be able to praise in one voice God, Father of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

7. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

7. Welcome, then, one another, as Christ welcomed you for the glory of God.

8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises [made] unto the fathers:

8. Look: Christ put himself at the service of the Jewish world to fulfill the promises made by God to their ancestors; here you see God's faithfulness.

9. And that the Gentiles might 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.

9. The pagans instead give thanks to God for his mercy, as Scripture says: Because of that, I will sing and praise your name among the pagans.

10. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

10. And in another place: Rejoice, pagan nations, with God's people.

11. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

11. And again: Praise the Lord, all people and let all nations speak of his magnificence.

12. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

12. Isaiah says: A descendant of Jesse will come who will rule the pagan nations and they will hope in him.

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 Ghost.

13. May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace in the faith, so that your hope may increase by the power of the Holy Spirit.

14. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

14. As for me, brothers and sisters, I am convinced that you have goodwill, knowledge and the capacity to advise each other;

15. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

15. nevertheless I have written boldly in some parts of this letter to remind you of what you already know. I do this according to the grace God has given to me

16. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

16. when I was sent to the pagan nations. I dedicate myself to the service of the Good News of God as a priest of Christ Jesus, in order to present the non-Jews to God as an agreeable offering consecrated by the Holy Spirit.

17. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

17. This service of God is for me a cause of pride in Christ Jesus.

18. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

18. Of course, I would not dare to speak of other things but what Christ himself has done through me, my words and my works,

19. Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

19. with miracles and signs, by the power of the Holy Spirit - so that non-Jews may obey the faith. In this way I have extended the Good News to all parts, from Jerusalem to Illiricum.

20. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

20. I have been very careful, however, and I am proud of this, not to preach in places where Christ is already known, and not to build upon foundations laid by others.

21. But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

21. Let it be as Scripture says: Those not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.

22. For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

22. This work has prevented me from going to you.

23. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

23. But now there is no more place for me in these regions, and as I have wanted for so long to go and see you,

24. Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your [company].

24. I hope to visit you when I go to Spain. Then you could help me go to that nation, once I have fully enjoyed your company.

25. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

25. Right now I am going to Jerusalem to help that community.

26. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

26. Know that the churches of Macedonia and Achaia have decided to make a contribution for the poor among the believers of Jerusalem.

27. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

27. They have decided to do that and, in fact, they were indebted to them. For the non-Jews have shared the spiritual goods of the Jews and now they must help them materially.

28. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

28. So I am to complete this task and give over the amount that has been collected. Then I will go to you and from there to Spain.

29. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

29. And I am sure that when I go to you, I will go with all the blessings of God.

30. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me;

30. I beg of you, brothers and sisters, by Christ Jesus our Lord and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in the fight, praying to God for me;

31. That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which [I have] for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

31. pray that I may avoid the snares of the enemies of faith in Judea, and that the community of Jerusalem may welcome the help I bring.

32. That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

32. And so I will go to you with joy and, God willing, be refreshed in your company.

33. Now the God of peace [be] with you all. Amen.

33. The God of peace be with you. Amen.