MODERN LITERAL VERSION

15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the powerless and not to please ourselves.
15:2 Let each one of us please his neighbor *for what is good toward building him up.
15:3 For* also Christ did not please himself, but, as it has been written, ‘The reproaches of those who are reproaching you fell upon me.' {Ps. 69:9}
15:4 For* as many things as were written beforehand were written *for our instruction, in order that through endurance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
15:5 Now the God of endurance and encouragement gives to you* to be mindful of the same thing with one another according to Christ Jesus,
15:6 that* you* may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ united with one mouth.
15:7 Hence receive one another, just-as Christ also received you*, to the glory of God.
15:8 But I say that Christ Jesus has become a servant of the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God, *that* he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,
15:9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God on behalf of his mercy; as it has been written, ‘Therefore I will profess you among the Gentiles and sing-praise to your name.' {Ps. 18:49}
15:10 And again he says, ‘Gentiles be joyous with his people.' {Deut. 32:43}
15:11 And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all the Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him.' {Ps. 117:1}
15:12 And again, Isaiah says, ‘There will be the root of Jesse and he who rises* up to rule over the Gentiles; upon him the Gentiles will hope.' {Is. 11:1, 10}
15:13 Now the God of hope may fill you* with all joy and peace in believing, *that* you* may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.

15:14 And my brethren, I also have confidence in myself concerning you*, that you* yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, also able to admonish one another.
15:15 But I write more-daringly to you* brethren in part, as reminding you* again, because of the grace which was given to me by God,
15:16 *that* I might be a minister* of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, doing the sacred work of the good-news of God, that* the offering up of the Gentiles might become acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

15:17 Therefore, I have my boasting in Christ Jesus in the things pertaining to God.
15:18 For* I will not dare to speak of anything except those which Christ worked through me, *for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and works,
15:19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God. So-then, I have fulfilled the good-news of Christ from Jerusalem and the surrounding area, as far as Illyricum.
15:20 And so, I am making it my aim to proclaim the good-news, not where Christ was already named, that* I might not build upon another's foundation;
15:21 but, as it has been written, ‘They will see, to whom it was not reported concerning him. And those who have not heard will understand.' {Is. 52:15}

15:22 Hence also, I was hindered these many times from coming to you*,
15:23 but now, having no longer a place in these districts and having a longing to come to you* from many years ago.
15:24 Like whenever I travel through toward Spain, I will come to you*, (for* I am hoping to see you* as I go through and to be sent onward by you*, if first in part from you*, that I should be filled,)–
15:25 but now, I am traveling to Jerusalem, serving the holy-ones.
15:26 For* Macedonia and Achaia were delighted to make* a certain generosity to the poor among the holy-ones who are in Jerusalem.
15:27 For* they were delighted and they are their debtors. For* if the Gentiles have been sharing in the spiritual things of them, they owe it to them also to minister* to them in fleshly things.
15:28 Therefore, when I have finished this and have sealed this fruit to them, I will go into Spain through you*.
15:29 Now I know that, when I come to you*, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the good-news of Christ.

15:30 Now brethren, I am encouraging you* through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love* of the Spirit, that you* struggle together with me, and on my behalf in your* prayers to God;
15:31 that* I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea and that* my service which I have *for Jerusalem might become acceptable to the holy-ones;
15:32 that* I may come to you* in joy through the will of God and I may rest together with you*.
15:33 Now the God of peace be with you* all. Amen.