3. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, “The people who insulted you also insulted me.”
4. And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.
5. God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ.
6. Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7. Honour God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.
8. I tell you that Christ came as a servant of the Jews to show that God has kept the promises he made to their famous ancestors. Christ also came,
9. so that the Gentiles would praise God for being kind to them. It is just as the Scriptures say,“I will tell the nationsabout you,and I will sing praisesto your name.”
25-26. I am now on my way to Jerusalem to deliver the money that the Lord's followers in Macedonia and Achaia collected for God's needy people.
27. This is something they really wanted to do. But sharing their money with the Jews was also like paying back a debt, because the Jews had already shared their spiritual blessings with the Gentiles.
28. After I have safely delivered this money, I will visit you and then go on to Spain.
29. And when I do arrive in Rome, I know it will be with the full blessings of Christ.
30. My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me.
31. Pray that God will protect me from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his people in Jerusalem will be pleased with what I am doing.
32. Ask God to let me come to you and have a pleasant and refreshing visit.
33. I pray that God, who gives peace, will be with all of you. Amen.