Epistula ad Romanos, 15

1. Debemus autem nos fir miores imbecillitates infir morum sustinere et non nobis placere.

1. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves;

2. Unusquisque nostrum proximo placeat in bonum ad aedificationem;

2. let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him.

3. etenim Christus non sibi placuit, sed sicut scriptum est: “Improperia improperantium tibi ceciderunt super me”.

3. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me."

4. Quaecumque enim antea scripta sunt, ad nostram doctrinam scripta sunt, ut per patientiam et consolationem Scripturarum spem habeamus.

4. For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

5. Deus autem patientiae et solacii det vobis idipsum sapere in alterutrum secundum Christum Iesum,

5. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

6. ut unanimes uno ore glorificetis Deum et Patrem Domini nostri Iesu Christi.

6. that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Propter quod suscipite invicem, sicut et Christus suscepit vos, in gloriam Dei.

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

8. Dico enim Christum ministrum fuisse circumcisionis propter veritatem Dei ad confirmandas promissiones patrum;

8. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,

9. gentes autem propter misericordiam glorificare Deum, sicut scriptum est: “Propter hoc confitebor tibi in gentibus et nomini tuo cantabo”.

9. and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise thee among the Gentiles, and sing to thy name";

10. Et iterum dicit: “Laetamini, gentes, cum plebe eius”.

10. and again it is said, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people";

11. Et iterum: “Laudate, omnes gentes, Dominum, et magnificent eum omnes populi”.

11. and again, "Praise the Lord, all Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him";

12. Et rursus Isaias ait: “Erit radix Iesse, et qui exsurget regere gentes: in eo gentes sperabunt”.

12. and further Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope."

13. Deus autem spei repleat vos omni gaudio et pace in credendo, ut abundetis in spe in virtute Spiritus Sancti.

13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

14. Certus sum autem, fratres mei, et ego ipse de vobis, quoniam et ipsi pleni estis bonitate, repleti omni scientia, ita ut possitis et alterutrum monere.

14. I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

15. Audacius autem scripsi vobis ex parte, tamquam in memoriam vos reducens propter gratiam, quae data est mihi a Deo,

15. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God

16. ut sim minister Christi Iesu ad gentes, consecrans evangelium Dei, ut fiat oblatio gentium accepta, sanctificata in Spiritu Sancto.

16. to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17. Habeo igitur gloriationem in Christo Iesu ad Deum;

17. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.

18. non enim audebo aliquid loqui eorum, quae per me non effecit Christus in oboedientiam gentium, verbo et factis,

18. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has wrought through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed,

19. in virtute signorum et prodigiorum, in virtute Spiritus, ita ut ab Ierusalem et per circuitum usque in Illyricum repleverim evangelium Christi,

19. by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyr'icum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ,

20. sic autem contendens praedicare evangelium, non ubi nominatus est Christus, ne super alienum fundamentum aedificarem,

20. thus making it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on another man's foundation,

21. sed sicut scriptum est: “Quibus non est annuntiatum de eo, videbunt; et, qui non audierunt, intellegent”.

21. but as it is written, "They shall see who have never been told of him, and they shall understand who have never heard of him."

22. Propter quod et impediebar plurimum venire ad vos;

22. This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.

23. nunc vero ulterius locum non habens in his regionibus, cupiditatem autem habens veniendi ad vos ex multis iam annis,

23. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you,

24. cum in Hispaniam proficisci coepero, spero enim quod praeteriens videam vos et a vobis deducar illuc, si vobis primum ex parte fruitus fuero.

24. I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be sped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little.

25. Nunc autem proficiscor in Ierusalem ministrare sanctis;

25. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem with aid for the saints.

26. probaverunt enim Macedonia et Achaia communicationem aliquam facere in pauperes sanctorum, qui sunt in Ierusalem.

26. For Macedo'nia and Acha'ia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem;

27. Placuit enim eis, et debitores sunt eorum; nam si spiritalibus eorum communicaverunt gentes, debent et in carnalibus ministrare eis.

27. they were pleased to do it, and indeed they are in debt to them, for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

28. Hoc igitur cum consummavero et assignavero eis fructum hunc, proficiscar per vos in Hispaniam;

28. When therefore I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been raised, I shall go on by way of you to Spain;

29. scio autem quoniam veniens ad vos, in abundantia benedictionis Christi veniam.

29. and I know that when I come to you I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.

30. Obsecro autem vos, fratres, per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum et per caritatem Spiritus, ut concertemini mecum in orationibus pro me ad Deum,

30. I appeal to you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,

31. ut liberer ab infidelibus, qui sunt in Iudaea, et ministerium meum pro Ierusalem acceptum sit sanctis,

31. that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

32. ut veniens ad vos in gaudio per voluntatem Dei refrigerer vobiscum.

32. so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.

33. Deus autem pacis sit cum omnibus vobis. Amen.

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