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,(A) 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain.(B) I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist(C) me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem(D) in the service(E) of the Lord’s people(F) there. 26 For Macedonia(G) and Achaia(H) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.(I) 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.(J) 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain(K) and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you,(L) 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,(M) to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.(N) 31 Pray that I may be kept safe(O) from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution(P) I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people(Q) there, 32 so that I may come to you(R) with joy, by God’s will,(S) and in your company be refreshed.(T) 33 The God of peace(U) be with you all. Amen.

Personal Greetings

16 I commend(V) to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae.(W) I ask you to receive her in the Lord(X) in a way worthy of his people(Y) and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila,(Z) my co-workers(AA) in Christ Jesus.(AB) They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

Greet also the church that meets at their house.(AC)

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert(AD) to Christ in the province of Asia.(AE)

Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews(AF) who have been in prison with me.(AG) They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ(AH) before I was.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 16:1 Or servant
  2. Romans 16:1 The word deacon refers here to a Christian designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
  3. Romans 16:3 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  4. Romans 16:7 Or are esteemed by

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