Romans 1:7-13

7[I am writing] to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called to be saints (God’s people) and set apart for a sanctified life, [that is, set apart for God and His purpose]: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith [your trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] is being proclaimed in all the world.

9For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how continuously I mention you

10in my prayers; always pleading that somehow, by God’s will, I may now at last come to you.

11For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift, to strengthen and establish you;

12that is, that we may be mutually encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that many times I have planned to come to you, (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit [of my labors] among you, even as I have among the rest of the Gentiles.