Romans 15-16
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.
Greetings and Love Expressed
16 I (BI)recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a [q]servant of the church which is at (BJ)Cenchrea, 2 that you (BK)receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the [r](BL)saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, [s]and of myself as well.
3 Greet (BM)Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers (BN)in (BO)Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; 5 also greet (BP)the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the (BQ)first convert to Christ from [t](BR)Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and [u]Junia, my (BS)kinsfolk and my (BT)fellow prisoners, who are outstanding in the view of the apostles, who also [v]were (BU)in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker (BV)in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, the approved (BW)in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my (BX)kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet (BY)Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all (BZ)the [w]saints who are with them. 16 (CA)Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
17 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and [x]hindrances (CB)contrary to the teaching which you learned, and (CC)turn away from them. 18 For such people are (CD)slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of (CE)their own [y]appetites; and by their (CF)smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 19 For the report of your obedience (CG)has reached everyone; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but (CH)I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil. 20 (CI)The God of peace will soon crush (CJ)Satan under your feet.
(CK)The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 (CL)Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, and so do (CM)Lucius, (CN)Jason, and (CO)Sosipater, my (CP)kinsmen.
22 I, Tertius, who have (CQ)written this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 (CR)Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. (CS)Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and Quartus, the brother.[z]
25 (CT)Now to Him who is able to establish you (CU)according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of (CV)the mystery which has been kept secret for (CW)long ages past, 26 but now has been disclosed, and through (CX)the Scriptures of the prophets, in accordance with the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to (CY)obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, (CZ)be the glory forever. 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 16:1 Or deaconess
- Romans 16:2 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Romans 16:2 Lit and of me, myself
- Romans 16:5 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
- Romans 16:7 Or possibly Junias (masc)
- Romans 16:7 Lit have become
- Romans 16:15 See note 1 v 2
- Romans 16:17 Lit occasions of stumbling
- Romans 16:18 Lit belly
- Romans 16:23 Late mss add as v 24: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
2 Corinthians 1:1-2:4
New American Standard Bible
Introduction
1 Paul, (A)an apostle of (B)Christ Jesus (C)by the will of God, and our brother (D)Timothy,
To (E)the church of God which is at (F)Corinth with all the [a]saints who are throughout (G)Achaia:
2 (H)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 (I)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and (J)God of all comfort, 4 who (K)comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in [b]any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just (L)as the sufferings of Christ are [c]ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is (M)for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that (N)as you are partners in our sufferings, so also you are in our comfort.
8 For (O)we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our (P)affliction which occurred in [d](Q)Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 [e]Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, 10 who (R)rescued us from so great a danger of death, and will rescue us, He [f](S)on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 if you also join in (T)helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by (U)many persons in our behalf for the favor granted to us through the prayers of many.
Paul’s Integrity
12 For our [g]proud confidence is this: the testimony of (V)our conscience, that in holiness and (W)godly sincerity, (X)not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. 13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand (Y)until the end; 14 just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, on (Z)the day of our Lord Jesus.
15 In this confidence I intended at first to (AA)come to you, so that you might [h]twice receive a [i](AB)blessing; 16 [j]that is, to (AC)pass [k]your way into (AD)Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be (AE)helped on my journey to Judea. 17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I decide, do I decide (AF)according to the flesh, so that with me there will be [l]yes, yes and no, no at the same time? 18 But as (AG)God is faithful, (AH)our word to you is not yes and no. 19 For (AI)the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and (AJ)Silvanus and (AK)Timothy—was not yes and no, but has been yes (AL)in Him. 20 For (AM)as many as the promises of God are, (AN)in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is (AO)our Amen to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who (AP)establishes us with you in Christ and (AQ)anointed us is God, 22 who also (AR)sealed us and (AS)gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a [m]pledge.
23 But (AT)I call God as witness to my soul, that it was (AU)to spare you that I did not come again to (AV)Corinth. 24 Not that we (AW)domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are (AX)standing firm.
Reaffirm Your Love
2 But I decided this [n]for my own sake, that I (AY)would not come to you in sorrow again. 2 For if I (AZ)cause you sorrow, who then will be the one making me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 3 This is the very thing I (BA)wrote you, so that (BB)when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having (BC)confidence in you all that my joy was the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I (BD)wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 1:1 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 Lit every
- 2 Corinthians 1:5 Lit to us
- 2 Corinthians 1:8 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
- 2 Corinthians 1:9 Lit But we ourselves
- 2 Corinthians 1:10 One early ms on whom we have set our hope that He will also
- 2 Corinthians 1:12 Or source of pride
- 2 Corinthians 1:15 Lit have a second grace
- 2 Corinthians 1:15 One early ms joy
- 2 Corinthians 1:16 Lit and
- 2 Corinthians 1:16 Lit through you into
- 2 Corinthians 1:17 I.e., a strong yes and no
- 2 Corinthians 1:22 Or first installment
- 2 Corinthians 2:1 Or as far as I am concerned
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