OET-RV ROM Chapter 15

15 We who are powerful should be bearing the weaknesses of the powerless rather than just seeking to bring pleasure to ourselves. 2 Each one of us should be bringing pleasure to those near us—displaying goodness and building them up, 3 [ref]because even the messiah didn’t bring pleasure to himself, but, as it was written: ‘Those who were insulting you, their insults landed on me.’ 4 Because everything that was written in the past, was written for teaching us so that through endurance and through the encouragement from the scriptures, we would have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement help you all to think likewise, just like Yeshua Messiah did, 6 so that you’ll all be united in your purpose and your teaching, thus honouring the God and father of our master, Yeshua Messiah.

7 So then be accepting each other just as the messiah accepted all of you so that God will be honoured. 8 I can tell you that Messiah became a servant of the circumcised Jews so that God’s truth will be seen by its confirming of the promises that were made to our ancestors, 9 [ref]and also a servant for the non-Jews so that they’ll honour God for his mercy, as it was written:

‘Because of this I’ll be telling the pagans about you,

and I’ll be singing praises to your name.’

10 [ref]In a different place it’s written:

‘You non-Jews, be happy along with his people.’

11 [ref]And again:

‘Praise the master you non-Jews,

and let all the peoples of the world praise him.’

12 Also Isayah wrote:[ref]

‘There will be a descendant of Jesse,

and the one coming to rule over non-Jews—

the non-Jews will put their hope in him.’

13 May the God of hope that you believe in fill you all with happiness and peace so that your hope in the power of the holy spirit will be grow to be plentiful.

14 My brothers and sisters, I’ve also been persuaded about you myself, that having been filled with knowledge, you’re also full of goodness and able to rebuke each other. 15 But I wrote to you more boldly, partly to remind you all because of the grace given to me by God 16 so that I’d be a minister to the non-Jews for Messiah Yeshua, sharing God’s good message so that the offering of the non-Jews would be acceptable to him, having been purified by the holy spirit. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? 17 Therefore I’m boasting in Messiah Yeshua about things to do with God. 18 I wouldn’t dare to speak about anything that wasn’t done through me by Messiah, that led to the obedience of non-Jews by my message and by my working 19 powerful miracles and amazing things in the power of God’s spirit, so that from Yerushalem all the way around to Illyricum, I’ve obeyed the Messiah’s good message. 20 I was enthusiastic to be preaching the good message wherever Messiah wasn’t known about so that I wouldn’t be building on other’s foundations, 21 [ref]but as it has been written:

‘Anyone who hasn’t been told about him,

they will be seeing,

and anyone who hasn’t heard about him,

they will be understanding.’

22 [ref]That’s also why I wasn’t able to come to see you all, 23 but now I no longer have a role in those regions. I’ve been wanting to come there for many years now— 24 whenever I’m able to go to Spain next I’m hoping to see you on my way, and then after spending time with you all, you’ll be able to send me on to my destination. 25 [ref]But for now, I’m going to Yerushalem to serve the believers there. 26 The believers in Macedonia and Achaia took pleasure in making a contribution for the poor people among the believers there in Yerushalem. 27 [ref]They took pleasure but they’re also in debt to them, because if the non-Jews have shared in Jewish spiritual things, then they should also minister to them with material things. 28 So then, having done that and having guaranteed heavenly rewards for them, I will go to Spain by way of your place, 29 and I know that when I come, I’ll come bearing Messiah’s full blessing.

30 So brothers and sisters, I’m urging you by our master Yeshua Messiah and by the love of the spirit, to contend along with me in praying to God for me 31 that I will escape from the schemes of those in Yudea who refuse to believe. Also pray that my ministry in Yerushalem would be acceptable to the believers there 32 so that by God’s will, I can happily come to your place and be refreshed there with you all. 33 May the God of peace be with all of you. May it be so.