The Example of Christ

15 (A)We who are strong (B)have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (C)Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For (D)Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, (E)“The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For (F)whatever was written in former days was written for our (G)instruction, that through endurance and through (H)the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you (I)to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify (J)the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

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Please Others, Not Yourselves

15 Now we who are strong ought to be patient with the weaknesses of those who are not strong and must stop pleasing ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building him up. For even the Messiah[a] did not please himself. Instead, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[b] For everything that was written long ago was written to instruct us, so that we might have hope through the endurance and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.[c]

Now may God, the source of endurance and encouragement, allow you to live in harmony with each other as you follow the Messiah[d] Jesus,[e] so that with one mind and one voice you might glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.[f]

Therefore, accept one another, just as the Messiah[g] accepted you,[h] for the glory of God.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 15:3 Or Christ
  2. Romans 15:3 Cf. Ps 69:9
  3. Romans 15:4 Lit. of the Scriptures
  4. Romans 15:5 Or Christ
  5. Romans 15:5 Lit. according to the Messiah Jesus
  6. Romans 15:6 Or Christ
  7. Romans 15:7 Or Christ
  8. Romans 15:7 Other mss. read us