Old/New Testament
Coming to Rome at last
14 When I think of you, my dear family, I myself am thoroughly convinced that you are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and well able to give one another instruction. 15 But I have written to you very boldly at some points, calling things to your mind through the grace which God has given me 16 to enable me to be a minister of Messiah Jesus for the nations, working in the priestly service of God’s good news, so that the offering of the nations may be acceptable, sanctified in the holy spirit.
17 This is the glad confidence I have in Messiah Jesus, and in God’s own presence. 18 Far be it from me, you see, to speak about anything except what the Messiah has accomplished through me for the obedience of the nations, in word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s spirit. I have completed the announcement of the Messiah’s good news from Jerusalem round as far as Illyricum. 20 My driving ambition has been to announce the good news in places where the Messiah has not been named, so that I can avoid building on anyone else’s foundation. 21 Instead, as the Bible says,
People who hadn’t been told about him will see;
people who hadn’t heard will understand.
22 That’s why I have faced so many obstacles to stop me coming to you. 23 But now, finding myself with no more room in these regions, I have a great longing to come to you now at last after so many years, 24 and so to make my way to Spain. You see, I’m hoping to see you as I pass through, and to be sent on my way there by you, once I have been refreshed by you for a while.
Aid for Jerusalem
25 Now, though, I am going to Jerusalem to render service to God’s people there. 26 Macedonia and Achaea, you see, have happily decided to enter into partnership with the poor believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were eager to do this, and indeed they owe them a debt. If the nations have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, it is right and proper that they should minister to their earthly needs. 28 So when I have completed this, and tied up all the loose ends, I will come via you to Spain. 29 And I know that when I come to you I shall come with the full blessing of the Messiah.
30 I urge you, my dear family, through our Lord Jesus the Messiah and through the love of the spirit: fight the battle for me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 so that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judaea, and so that my service for Jerusalem may be welcomed gladly by God’s people. 32 If this happens, I will come to you in joy, through the will of God, and be refreshed by being with you. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.