Romans 15

1 We ought now we ourselves who [are] strong the weaknesses of the weak to bear and not ourselves to please;

Most of us are sure [that God will not punish us for doing certain things that the laws and rituals God gave Moses said the Jews should not do. But we] should be patient with those who are uncertain [about such things], and we should not let them irritate us. We should not [simply] please ourselves.

2 Each (for *k*) of us the neighbour should please unto the good for edification.

Each of us should [do the things that] please the fellow [believers with whom we come in contact, and things that will] benefit them. [We should do those things] in order to help them mature [spiritually].

3 Even for Christ not Himself pleased but even as it has been written: The reproaches of those reproaching You (fell *N(k)O*) on Me myself.

[We should please our fellow believers], since Christ [has set us an example]. He did not [do things to] please himself. On the contrary, [he tried to please God even when others insulted him. That was] as it is written {as ([someone/the Psalmist]) wrote} [in Scripture that the Messiah said to God]: “When people insulted you [(sg)], [it was as though] they were also insulting me.”

4 As much as for was written in the past (all things *O*) for our own instruction (was written, *N(k)O*) so that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures hope we may have.

And [you need to remember that] what was written previously {what [God’s servants] previously wrote} [in the Scriptures], was written {[they] wrote} to teach us in order that we would be patient and be encouraged by [reading/believing] what they wrote. If we do that, we can confidently expect [God to do for us all he has promised].

5 The now God of endurance and encouragement would He give you the same to be of mind with one another according to Christ Jesus

God is the one who enables us to be patient and encourages us. ([Ask/Pray to]) [him that he would] enable you [all] to live harmoniously with each other, doing as Christ Jesus [did].

6 so that with one accord with one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of the Lord of us Jesus Christ.

Then, as you are united in what you think and say [MTY], you will praise God, [who is the heavenly] father [MET] of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore do receive one another even as also Christ received (you *N(K)O*) to [the] glory (*no*) of God.

So [I say to all of you believers at Rome], accept each other. [If you do that], people will praise God [as they see you behaving like Christ. Accept each other] just like Christ accepted you!

8 I say (for *N(k)O*) Christ (Jesus *K*) a servant (to have become *NK(o)*) of [the] circumcision for [the] truth of God in order to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

I want [you to remember] that Christ [helped us] Jews [MTY] by what he did, in order to show that God (is faithful/does what he says he will do). That is, [his coming as our Messiah] fulfilled what God promised to [our Jewish] ancestors.

9 and [for] the Gentiles for mercy to glorify God even as it has been written: Because of this I will praise You among [the] Gentiles and to the name of You will I sing.

And [by acting mercifully to them, he also caused] non-Jews to praise him. [What he has done for non-Jews] fulfills what is written [in the Scriptures that David said to God]: “So I will praise you [(sg) when I am] among the non-Jews, and I will sing to you [MTY].”

10 And again it says: do rejoice you Gentiles with the people of Him.

[David] also wrote, “You non-Jews, rejoice with us who are God’s people.”

11 And again: do praise all you who [are] Gentiles the Lord, and (they should praise *N(K)O*) Him all the peoples.

[And Moses wrote in] the [Scriptures], “Praise the Lord, all [you] non-Jews, and may everyone praise him [DOU].”

12 And again Isaiah says: There will be the root of Jesse, and the [One] arising to rule over Gentiles, in Him [the] Gentiles will hope.

And Isaiah wrote [in the Scriptures], “There will be a descendant [MET] of [King] David who will begin to rule the non-Jews. They will confidently expect him [to fulfill what he has promised].”

13 And the God of hope would fill you with all joy and peace in believing for to abound you in hope in [the] power [of the] Spirit Holy.

God is the one who causes you to confidently expect [him to do what he has promised. I pray/ask] that he will cause you to be completely joyful and peaceful as you trust [in him]. As you do that, the Holy Spirit will enable you to more and more confidently expect [to receive what God has promised you].

14 I have been persuaded now, brothers of mine, also myself I myself concerning you that also you yourselves full are of goodness filled with all (*no*) knowledge, being able also (one another *NK(O)*) to admonish.

My fellow believers, I myself am [completely] sure that you yourselves [have acted toward others] in a completely good way. You have done that because you have known completely [all that God wants you to know] [HYP], and because you are able to teach each other.

15 More boldly however I have written to you (brothers *k*) in part as reminding you because of the grace which having been given to me (by *NK(o)*) God

However, I have written to you quite frankly [in this letter] about some things in order to remind you [about those things]. [I have written this letter] because I have been appointed by God {God has [appointed] me}, which I did not deserve,

16 for to be me a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles administering the sacred service of the gospel of God, so that may become the offering of the Gentiles acceptable sanctified in [the] Spirit Holy.

in order that I would work for Jesus Christ among non-Jews. [God has appointed me] to act like a priest as I [proclaim] his good message in order that he will accept the non-Jews [who believe in Christ. They will be] like an offering [MET] [to God] as a result of their being dedicated [to him] by the Holy Spirit {the Holy Spirit dedicating them [to God]}.

17 I have therefore (the *no*) boasting in Christ Jesus the [things] pertaining to God;

It follows that, because [of my relationship with] (OR, because [I belong to]) Christ Jesus, I am happy about [my work for] God.

18 Not for will I dare anything to speak of what except has accomplished Christ through me unto [the] obedience of [the] Gentiles by word and by deed,

I will speak boldly only [LIT] about the work that Christ has enabled me to do. [I do that work] in order that non-Jews might pay attention to [the message about Christ] as a result of what I have said and done,

19 in [the] power of signs and wonders, in [the] power of [the] Spirit (of God, *NK(O)*) so as for me from Jerusalem and around unto Illyricum to have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

specifically, by [my performing] many powerful miracles [DOU]. [I have done those things] as a result of [God’s] Spirit powerfully [enabling me]. As a result [of doing those things, while traveling] all the way around from Jerusalem to Illyricum [province], I have completed [my work] of proclaiming the message about Christ [in those places].

20 thus now (being ambitious *NK(o)*) to evangelise not where was named Christ, so that not upon another’s foundation I may build

As [I proclaim] that message, I am always eagerly trying to proclaim it [in places] where people have not already heard about Christ. I do that in order that [as I work for God] I might not [be continuing the work for him that someone else already started] [MET]. [I do not want to be like a man who] builds [a house] on someone else’s foundation.

21 Rather even as it has been written: To whom not it was proclaimed concerning Him they will behold and those that not have heard will understand.

On the contrary, [I teach non-Jews, so that what happens may be like] what was written {the prophet Isaiah wrote} [in the Scriptures about the Messiah]: “Those who did not hear about him previously will know [the truth about him]. Truly, those who have not heard [about him will hear and] understand [his message] [DOU].”

22 Therefore also I was being hindered many [times] to come to you,

Because [I have attempted to preach the message about Christ in places where they have not heard about him], I have been hindered {things have hindered me} many times [from being able] to visit you.

23 Now however no longer a place having in regions these a great desire now having had to come to you for (many *NK(O)*) years,

But now there are no more places in these regions [where people have not heard about Christ]. Furthermore, for several years I have wanted to visit you.

24 whenever (maybe *N(k)O*) I shall go to Spain (I will come to you *K*) I hope for going through to see you and by you to be equipped there, if of you first in part I shall be filled.

[So I hope to go/come to see you]. I hope to do that as soon as I am on my way to [the provinces in] Spain. I hope to see you as I journey through [your area], and I hope that [by whatever you give me] [EUP] you will help me on my journey to Spain. But before [I go there], I want to enjoy being with you for a little while, although [I would like to stay with you longer].

25 Now however I am going to Jerusalem ministering to the saints.

But [I cannot visit you] now, because I am about to go to Jerusalem in order to take money [EUP] for God’s people [there].

26 Were pleased for Macedonia and Achaia a contribution certain to make for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem;

[The believers in] Macedonia and Achaia [provinces] [MTY] decided to contribute some [money] [EUP] for those of God’s people in Jerusalem who are poor.

27 They were pleased for, and debtors they are of them; If for in the [things] spiritual of them shared the Gentiles, they ought also in the material things to minister to them.

They themselves decided [to do this, but] truly they owe something to God’s people in Jerusalem. The non-Jewish [believers] benefited spiritually from Jewish [believers as a result of hearing the message about Christ from them], so the non-Jews should also help the Jewish believers [in Jerusalem by giving them] material things (OR, money) [EUP].

28 This therefore having finished and having sealed to them fruit this I will set off through you into (*k*) Spain.

So when I have finished this [task] by safely delivering all this money [MET, EUP] [that the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have given], I will leave [Jerusalem and visit] you [in Rome while I am] on my way to Spain.

29 I know now that coming to you in [the] fullness of the blessing (of the gospel *K*) (*k*) of Christ I will come.

And I know that when I visit you, Christ will abundantly bless [us] (OR, enable [me] to bless [you]).

30 I exhort now you, brothers, through the Lord of us Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in the prayers for me to God,

Because [we belong to] our Lord Jesus Christ and because the Spirit [of God causes us to] love [each other], I urge you [all] that [you help me] by fervently/intensely praying to God for me.

31 so that I may be delivered from those refusing to be persuaded in Judea and (so that *K*) the service of mine which [is] in Jerusalem acceptable to the saints may become

[Pray that] I will be protected {[that God] will protect me} so that the [Jews] in Judea who do not believe [the message about Christ will not harm me]. Also pray that God’s people in Jerusalem will accept the money [EUP] that I [take] to them.

32 so that in joy (having come *N(k)O*) to you through [the] will of God (and *ko*) I may be refreshed with you.

Pray these things in order that I may go/come to you if God wants me to go/come, and that I may go/come joyfully, and that then God will refresh my [spirit as a result of my visiting/being] with you.

33 And the God of peace [be] with all of you, Amen.

[I pray that] God, who [causes us to have inner] peace, will be with all of you [and will help] you. (May it be so!/Amen!)