151 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves . 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good , to his edification . 3 For even Christ did not please Himself ; but as it is written , " THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." 4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction , so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope .

5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus , 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ .

The Gospel to the Gentiles

7 Therefore , accept one another , just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God . 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers , 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy ; as it is written , " THEREFORE e I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES , AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME ." 10 Again he says , " REJOICE , O GENTILES , WITH HIS PEOPLE ." 11 And again , " PRAISE THE Lord ALL YOU GENTILES , AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM." 12 Again Isaiah says , " THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE , AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES , IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE ."

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

14 And concerning you, my brethren , I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness , filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another . 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again , because of the grace that was given me from God , 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles , ministering as a priest the gospel of God , so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable , sanctified by the Holy Spirit .

17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God . 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed , 19 in the power of signs and wonders , in the power of the Spirit ; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ . 20 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel , not where Christ was already named , so that I would not build on another man's foundation ; 21 but as it is written , " THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE , AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND ."

Paul Plans to Visit Rome

22 For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; 23 but now , with no further place for me in these regions , and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you 24 whenever e I go to Spain -for I hope to see you in passing , and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while - 25 but now , I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints . 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem . 27 Yes , they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things , they are indebted to minister to them also in material things . 28 Therefore , when I have finished this , and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs , I will go on by way of you to Spain . 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ .

30 Now I urge you, brethren , by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit , to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea , and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints ; 32 so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all . Amen .

31 Then what advantage has the Jew ? Or what is the benefit of circumcision ? 2 Great in every respect . First of all , that they were entrusted with the oracles of God . 3 What then ? If some did not believe , their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God , will it? 4 May it never be! Rather , let God be found true , though every man be found a liar , as it is written , " THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS , AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED ." 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God , what shall we say ? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous , is He? ( I am speaking in human terms .) 6 May it never be! For otherwise , how will God judge the world ? 7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory , why am I also still being judged as a sinner ? 8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say ), " Let us do evil that good may come "? Their condemnation is just .

There Is None Righteous

9 What then ? Are we better than they? Not at all ; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin ; 10 as it is written , " THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS , NOT EVEN ONE ; 11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS , THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD ; 12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE , TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS ; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD , THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE ." 13 " THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE , WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING ," " THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS "; 14 " WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS "; 15 " THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD , 16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS , 17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN ." 18 " THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES ."

19 Now we know that whatever the Law says , it speaks to those who are under the Law , so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God ; 20 because by the works of the Law no e flesh will be justified in His sight ; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin .

Righteousness through Faith

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested , being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets , 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe ; for there is no distinction ; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God , 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus ; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith . This was to demonstrate His righteousness , because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed ; 26 for the demonstration , I say, of His righteousness at the present time , so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus . 27 Where then is boasting ? It is excluded . By what kind of law ? Of works ? No , but by a law of faith . 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law . 29 Or is God the God of Jews only ? Is He not the God of Gentiles also ? Yes , of Gentiles also , 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one . 31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith ? May it never be! On the contrary , we establish the Law .