Paul’s Travel Plans

22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you.(A) 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions,[a] and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you(B) 24 whenever I travel to Spain.[b] For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there,(C) once I have first enjoyed your company(D) for a while. 25 Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem(E) to serve the saints,(F) 26 because Macedonia(G) and Achaia(H) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits,(I) then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs. 28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds[c] to them,[d](J) I will visit you on the way to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing[e] of Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. 15:23 Lit now, having no longer a place in these parts
  2. 15:24 Other mss add I will come to you.
  3. 15:28 Lit delivered this fruit
  4. 15:28 Or and placed my seal of approval on this fruit for them
  5. 15:29 Other mss add of the gospel

22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.

Paul’s Travel Plans

23 But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. 24 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.

25 But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers[a] there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia[b] have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. 29 And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.

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Footnotes

  1. 15:25 Greek God’s holy people; also in 15:26, 31.
  2. 15:26 Macedonia and Achaia were the northern and southern regions of Greece.