Some of us have no problem with these things. So we should be patient with those who are not so strong and have doubts. We should not do what pleases us
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.
Christ also did this so that the non-Jewish people could praise God for the mercy he gives to them. The Scriptures say, "So I will give thanks to you among the people of other nations; I will sing praise to your name."
I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
My brothers and sisters, I know without a doubt that you are full of goodness and have all the knowledge you need. So you are certainly able to counsel each other.
to be a servant of Christ Jesus for those who are not Jews. I serve like a priest whose duty it is to tell God's Good News. He gave me this work so that you non-Jewish people could be an offering that he will accept—an offering made holy by the Holy Spirit.
I will not talk about anything I did myself. I will talk only about what Christ has done with me in leading the non- Jewish people to obey God. They have obeyed him because of what I have said and done.
And they obeyed him because of the power of the miraculous signs and wonders that happened—all because of the power of God's Spirit. I have told people the Good News about Christ in every place from Jerusalem to Illyricum. And so I have finished that part of my work.
I always want to tell the Good News in places where people have never heard of Christ. I do this because I don't want to build on the work that someone else has already started.
So I will visit you when I go to Spain. Yes, I hope to visit you while I am traveling to Spain, and I will stay and enjoy being with you. Then you can help me continue on my trip.
They were happy to do this. And it was like paying something they owed them, because as non-Jews they have been blessed spiritually by the Jews. So now they should use the material blessings they have to help the Jews.
I am going to Jerusalem to make sure the poor get this money that has been given for them. After I finish that, I will leave for Spain and stop to visit you on the way.
Brothers and sisters, I beg you to help me in my work by praying to God for me. Do this because of our Lord Jesus and the love that the Spirit gives us.
Pray that I will be saved from those in Judea who refuse to accept our message. And pray that this help I am bringing to Jerusalem will please God's people there.