¹⁶ When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.^(A)

³ The next day we landed at Sidon;^(A) and Julius, in kindness to Paul,^(B) allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.^(C)

²³ He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard^(A) but to give him some freedom^(B) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.^(C)

⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God^(A) and called to be his holy people:^(B)

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.^(C)

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you,^(D) because your faith is being reported all over the world.^{(E) 9} God, whom I serve^(F) in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness^(G) how constantly I remember you ¹⁰ in my prayers at all times;^(H) and I pray that now at last by God’s will^(I) the way may be opened for me to come to you.^(J)

¹¹ I long to see you^(K) so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift^(L) to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware,^(M) brothers and sisters,^[a](N) that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now)^(O) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

¹⁴ I am obligated^(P) both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.^(Q)

³⁰ For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. ³¹ He proclaimed the kingdom of God^(A) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness^(B) and without hindrance!

¹⁸ The woman you saw is the great city^(A) that rules over the kings of the earth.”

⁹ “This calls for a mind with wisdom.^(A) The seven heads^(B) are seven hills on which the woman sits.

²² This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.^(A)

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,^{(B) 24} I plan to do so when I go to Spain.^(C) I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist^(D) me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. ²⁵ Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem^(E) in the service^(F) of the Lord’s people^(G) there. ²⁶ For Macedonia^(H) and Achaia^(I) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.^{(J) 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.^{(K) 28} So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain^(L) and visit you on the way. ²⁹ I know that when I come to you,^(M) I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

⁴³ But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life^(A) and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.