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Proverbs 25-27
New American Standard Bible
Proverbs 25-27
New American Standard Bible
Similitudes and Instructions
25 These also are (A)proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
2 It is the glory of God to (B)conceal a matter,
But the glory of (C)kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the [a](D)impurities from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the (E)smith;
5 Take away the (F)wicked before the king,
And his (G)throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not boast in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the same place [b]as great people;
7 For (H)it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go out (I)hastily to [c]argue your case;
[d]Otherwise, what will you do in [e]the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?
9 [f](J)Argue your case with your neighbor,
And (K)do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or one who hears it will put you to shame,
And the evil report about you will not [g]pass away.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
Is a (L)word spoken at [h]the proper time.
12 Like [i]an (M)earring of gold and a (N)jewelry piece of (O)fine gold,
Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a (P)listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the [j]time of harvest
Is a (Q)faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like (R)clouds and (S)wind without rain
Is a person who boasts [k]of his gifts falsely.
15 Through [l](T)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.
16 Have you (U)found honey? Eat only [m]what you need,
So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.
17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become [n]weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club, a (V)sword, and a sharp (W)arrow
Is a person who gives (X)false testimony against his neighbor.
19 Like a bad tooth and [o]an unsteady foot
Is confidence in a (Y)treacherous person in time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [p]soda,
Is one who sings songs to [q]a troubled heart.
21 (Z)If [r]your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will [s]heap burning coals on his head,
And (AA)the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
And a [t](AB)gossiping tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is (AC)better to live on a corner of the roof,
Than [u]in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is (AD)good news from a distant land.
26 Like a (AE)trampled spring and a [v]polluted well,
So is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory to (AF)search out [w]one’s own glory.
28 Like a (AG)city that is broken into and without walls
So is a person (AH)who has no self-control over his spirit.
Similitudes and Instructions
26 Like snow in summer and like (AI)rain in harvest,
So honor is not (AJ)fitting for a fool.
2 Like a (AK)sparrow in its [x]flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
So a (AL)curse without cause does not come to rest.
3 A (AM)whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a (AN)rod for the back of fools.
4 (AO)Do not answer a fool [y]according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
5 (AP)Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be (AQ)wise in his own eyes.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like [z]useless legs to one who cannot walk,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
8 Like [aa]one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is one who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that [ab]sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
10 [ac]Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.
11 Like (AR)a dog that returns to its vomit,
So is a fool who (AS)repeats [ad]his foolishness.
12 Do you see a person (AT)wise in his own eyes?
(AU)There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 [ae]A (AV)lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road!
A lion is [af]in the public square!”
14 As the door turns on its hinges,
So does a (AW)lazy one on his bed.
15 A (AX)lazy one buries his hand in the dish;
He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
16 A lazy one is (AY)wiser in his own eyes
Than seven people who can [ag]give a discreet answer.
17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears,
So is one who passes by and [ah]meddles with (AZ)strife not belonging to him.
18 Like a maniac who shoots
(BA)Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
19 So is a person who (BB)deceives his neighbor,
And says, “(BC)Was I not joking?”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no (BD)gossiper, (BE)quarreling quiets down.
21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a (BF)contentious person to kindle strife.
22 The (BG)words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the [ai]innermost parts of the body.
23 Like an earthenware (BH)vessel overlaid with silver [aj](BI)impurities
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 One who (BJ)hates disguises it with his lips,
But he harbors (BK)deceit in his [ak]heart.
25 When [al]he (BL)speaks graciously, do not believe him,
Because there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred (BM)covers itself with deception,
His wickedness will be (BN)revealed in the assembly.
27 One who (BO)digs a pit will fall into it,
And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates [am]those it crushes,
And a (BP)flattering mouth works ruin.
Warnings and Instructions
27 (BQ)Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you (BR)do not know what a day may bring.
2 Let (BS)another praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,
But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.
4 Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,
But (BT)who can stand before jealousy?
5 Better is (BU)open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.
6 Faithful are the (BV)wounds of a friend,
But [an]deceitful are the (BW)kisses of an enemy.
7 A satisfied [ao]person [ap]despises honey,
But to a hungry [aq]person any bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a (BX)bird that wanders from its nest,
So is a person who (BY)wanders from his [ar]home.
9 (BZ)Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
And a [as]person’s advice is sweet to his friend.
10 Do not abandon your (CA)friend or (CB)your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house on the day of your disaster;
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
11 (CC)Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
So that I may (CD)reply to one who taunts me.
12 A prudent person sees evil and hides himself;
But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty.
13 (CE)Take his garment when he becomes a guarantor for a stranger;
And for a foreign woman seize a pledge from him.
14 (CF)One who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be considered a curse to him.
15 A (CG)constant dripping on a day of steady rain
And a contentious woman are alike;
16 He who would [at]restrain her [au]restrains the wind,
And [av]grasps oil with his right hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
So one person sharpens another.
18 One who tends the (CH)fig tree will eat its fruit,
And one who (CI)cares for his master will be honored.
19 As in water a face reflects the face,
So the heart of a person reflects the person.
20 [aw](CJ)Sheol and [ax]Abaddon are (CK)never satisfied,
Nor are the (CL)eyes of a person ever satisfied.
21 The (CM)crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each (CN)is tested by the praise accorded him.
22 Though you (CO)pound the fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
His foolishness still will not leave him.
23 (CP)Know well the [ay]condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;
24 For riches are not forever,
Nor does a (CQ)crown endure to all generations.
25 When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are (CR)gathered in,
26 The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field,
27 And there will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your attendants.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:4 Lit dross
- Proverbs 25:6 Lit of
- Proverbs 25:8 Lit contend
- Proverbs 25:8 Lit Lest
- Proverbs 25:8 Lit its
- Proverbs 25:9 Lit Contend
- Proverbs 25:10 Lit return
- Proverbs 25:11 Lit its time
- Proverbs 25:12 Or a nose ring
- Proverbs 25:13 Lit day
- Proverbs 25:14 Lit in a gift of falsehood
- Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger
- Proverbs 25:16 Lit your sufficiency
- Proverbs 25:17 Lit surfeited with
- Proverbs 25:19 Lit a slipping foot
- Proverbs 25:20 I.e., natron
- Proverbs 25:20 Lit an evil
- Proverbs 25:21 Lit one who hates you
- Proverbs 25:22 Lit snatch up
- Proverbs 25:23 Lit tongue of secrecy
- Proverbs 25:24 Lit with a woman of contentions and a house of association
- Proverbs 25:26 Lit ruined
- Proverbs 25:27 Lit their
- Proverbs 26:2 Lit wandering
- Proverbs 26:4 I.e., taking his question or argument seriously
- Proverbs 26:7 Lit legs that dangle from one paralyzed
- Proverbs 26:8 Lit the binding of
- Proverbs 26:9 Lit goes up
- Proverbs 26:10 Or A master workman produces all things, But one who hires a fool is like one who hires those who pass by
- Proverbs 26:11 Lit with his
- Proverbs 26:13 Lit an idle, and so throughout the ch
- Proverbs 26:13 Lit within
- Proverbs 26:16 Lit return discreetly
- Proverbs 26:17 Lit infuriates himself
- Proverbs 26:22 Lit chambers of the belly
- Proverbs 26:23 Lit dross
- Proverbs 26:24 Lit inward part
- Proverbs 26:25 Lit his voice is gracious
- Proverbs 26:28 Lit its crushed ones
- Proverbs 27:6 Or excessive
- Proverbs 27:7 Lit soul
- Proverbs 27:7 Lit tramples on
- Proverbs 27:7 Lit soul
- Proverbs 27:8 Lit place
- Proverbs 27:9 Lit soul’s
- Proverbs 27:16 Lit hide(s)
- Proverbs 27:16 Lit hide(s)
- Proverbs 27:16 Lit encounters
- Proverbs 27:20 I.e., The netherworld
- Proverbs 27:20 I.e., the place of destruction
- Proverbs 27:23 Lit face
Proverbs 25-27
New International Version
Proverbs 25-27
New International Version
More Proverbs of Solomon
25 These are more proverbs(A) of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:(B)
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.(C)
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,(D)
and his throne will be established(E) through righteousness.(F)
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”(G)
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
What you have seen with your eyes
8 do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?(H)
9 If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
11 Like apples[b] of gold in settings of silver(I)
is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.(J)
13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.(K)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
too much of it, and you will vomit.(N)
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.(O)
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals(P) on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.(Q)
23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(R)
25 Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.(S)
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,(T)
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.(U)
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
26 Like snow in summer or rain(V) in harvest,
honor is not fitting for a fool.(W)
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse does not come to rest.(X)
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,(Y)
and a rod for the backs of fools!(Z)
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.(AA)
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.(AB)
6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool(AC)
is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(AD)
8 Like tying a stone in a sling
is the giving of honor to a fool.(AE)
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(AF)
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,(AG)
so fools repeat their folly.(AH)
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?(AI)
There is more hope for a fool than for them.(AJ)
13 A sluggard says,(AK) “There’s a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”(AL)
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.(AM)
15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.(AN)
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 Like a maniac shooting
flaming arrows of death
19 is one who deceives their neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.(AO)
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(AP)
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.(AQ)
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are fervent[c] lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,(AR)
but in their hearts they harbor deceit.(AS)
25 Though their speech is charming,(AT) do not believe them,
for seven abominations fill their hearts.(AU)
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit(AV) will fall into it;(AW)
if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.(AX)
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth(AY) works ruin.
2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
an outsider, and not your own lips.(BB)
3 Stone is heavy and sand(BC) a burden,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?(BD)
5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.(BE)
7 One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
8 Like a bird that flees its nest(BF)
is anyone who flees from home.
9 Perfume(BG) and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfelt advice.
10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster(BH) strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;(BI)
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.(BJ)
12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.(BK)
13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.(BL)
14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.
15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping(BM)
of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,(BN)
and whoever protects their master will be honored.(BO)
19 As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.[d]
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(BR)
but people are tested by their praise.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding them like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove their folly from them.
23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,(BS)
give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,(BT)
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
and to nourish your female servants.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go
- Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots
- Proverbs 26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth
- Proverbs 27:19 Or so others reflect your heart back to you
- Proverbs 27:20 Hebrew Abaddon
Romans 15
New American Standard Bible
Romans 15
New American Standard Bible
Self-denial in behalf of Others
15 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of (A)those without strength, and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to (B)please his neighbor [a]for his good, to his (C)edification. 3 For even (D)Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “(E)The taunts of those who taunt You have fallen on Me.” 4 For (F)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 (G)God [b]who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you (H)to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one purpose and one [c]voice you may glorify (I)the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore, [d](J)accept one another, just as Christ also accepted [e]us, for the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to (K)the circumcision in behalf of the truth of God, to confirm (L)the promises given to the fathers, 9 and for (M)the Gentiles to (N)glorify God for His mercy; as it is written:
“(O)Therefore I will [f]give praise to You among the Gentiles,
And I will sing praises to Your name.”
10 Again he says,
“(P)Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people.”
11 And again,
“(Q)Praise the Lord all you Gentiles,
And let all the peoples praise Him.”
12 Again Isaiah says,
“(R)There shall come (S)the root of Jesse,
And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles,
(T)In Him will the Gentiles hope.”
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all (U)joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope (V)by the power of the Holy Spirit.
14 And concerning you, my brothers and sisters, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of (W)goodness, filled with (X)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 (Y)the grace that was given to me [g]from God, 16 to be (Z)a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the (AA)gospel of God, so that my (AB)offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found (AC)reason for boasting in (AD)things pertaining to God. 18 (AE)For I will not presume to speak of anything [h]except what (AF)Christ has accomplished through me, [i]resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of [j](AG)signs and wonders, (AH)in the power of the Spirit; so that (AI)from Jerusalem and all around as (AJ)far as Illyricum I have [k]fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And in this way I aspired to (AK)preach the gospel, not where Christ was already known by name, (AL)so that I would not build on another person’s foundation; 21 but just as it is written:
“(AM)They who have not been told about Him will see,
And they who have not heard will understand.”
22 For this reason (AN)I have often been prevented from coming to you; 23 but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I (AO)have had for many years a longing to come to you 24 whenever I (AP)go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be (AQ)helped on my way there by you, when I have first (AR)enjoyed your company [l]for a while— 25 but now, (AS)I am going to Jerusalem, (AT)serving the [m]saints. 26 For (AU)Macedonia and (AV)Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the [n]saints in Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For (AW)if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and (AX)have [o]put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will (AY)go on by way of you to Spain. 29 I know that when (AZ)I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
30 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by (BA)the love of the Spirit, to (BB)strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be (BC)rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my (BD)service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the [p](BE)saints; 32 so that (BF)I may come to you in joy by (BG)the will of God and relax in your company. 33 Now (BH)the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Footnotes
- Romans 15:2 Lit for what is good to edification
- Romans 15:5 Lit of perseverance
- Romans 15:6 Lit mouth
- Romans 15:7 I.e., accept into fellowship
- Romans 15:7 One early ms you
- Romans 15:9 Or confess
- Romans 15:15 One early ms by God
- Romans 15:18 Lit which Christ has not accomplished
- Romans 15:18 Lit to the obedience
- Romans 15:19 Or confirming miracles
- Romans 15:19 Lit fulfilled
- Romans 15:24 Lit in part
- Romans 15:25 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Romans 15:26 See note v 25
- Romans 15:28 Lit sealed to them this fruit
- Romans 15:31 See note v 25
Romans 15
New International Version
Romans 15
New International Version
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak(A) and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,(B) to build them up.(C) 3 For even Christ did not please himself(D) but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a](E) 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,(F) so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind(G) toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify(H) the God and Father(I) of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another,(J) then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b](K) on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises(L) made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles(M) might glorify God(N) for his mercy. As it is written:
10 Again, it says,
11 And again,
12 And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse(R) will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”[f](S)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace(T) as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(U)
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness,(V) filled with knowledge(W) and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me(X) 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles.(Y) He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God,(Z) so that the Gentiles might become an offering(AA) acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus(AB) in my service to God.(AC) 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles(AD) to obey God(AE) by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders,(AF) through the power of the Spirit of God.(AG) So from Jerusalem(AH) all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.(AI) 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel(AJ) where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.(AK) 21 Rather, as it is written:
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.(AM)
Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,(AN) 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain.(AO) I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist(AP) me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem(AQ) in the service(AR) of the Lord’s people(AS) there. 26 For Macedonia(AT) and Achaia(AU) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.(AV) 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.(AW) 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain(AX) and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you,(AY) I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit,(AZ) to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.(BA) 31 Pray that I may be kept safe(BB) from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution(BC) I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people(BD) there, 32 so that I may come to you(BE) with joy, by God’s will,(BF) and in your company be refreshed.(BG) 33 The God of peace(BH) be with you all. Amen.
Footnotes
- Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
- Romans 15:8 Greek circumcision
- Romans 15:9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
- Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43
- Romans 15:11 Psalm 117:1
- Romans 15:12 Isaiah 11:10 (see Septuagint)
- Romans 15:21 Isaiah 52:15 (see Septuagint)
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