Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

²² This is why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. ²³ But now, having no further opportunities in these regions, I want to come to you, as I’ve desired to do for many years. ²⁴ Now that I am on my way to Spain, I hope to see you when I come your way and, after I have enjoyed your company for a while, to be sent on by you.

²⁵ Right now, however, I’m going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints, ²⁶ because the believers in^[a] Macedonia and Achaia have been eager to share their resources with the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yes, they were eager to do this, and in fact they are obligated to help them, for if the gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to be of service to them in material things.

²⁸ So when I have completed this task and have put my seal on this contribution of theirs, I will visit you on my way to Spain. ²⁹ And I know that when I come to you I will come with the full blessing of the Messiah.^[b]