Romans 15:16-33

16to be 1a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the 2gospel of God, so that my 3offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found 4reason for boasting in 5things pertaining to God. 186For I will not presume to speak of anything 7except what 8Christ has accomplished through me, 9resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19in the power of 1011signs and wonders, 12in the power of the Spirit; so that 13from Jerusalem and all around as 14far as Illyricum I have 15fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20And in this way I aspired to 16preach the gospel, not where Christ was already known by name, 17so that I would not build on another person’s foundation; 21but just as it is written: “18They who have not been told about Him will see, And they who have not heard will understand.”

22For this reason 19I have often been prevented from coming to you; 23but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I 20have had for many years a longing to come to you 24whenever I 21go to Spain--for I hope to see you in passing, and to be 22helped on my way there by you, when I have first 23enjoyed your company 24for a while-- 25but now, 25I am going to Jerusalem, 26serving the 27saints. 26For 28Macedonia and 29Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the 30saints in Jerusalem. 27For they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For 31if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things. 28Therefore, when I have finished this, and 32have 33put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will 34go on by way of you to Spain. 29I know that when 35I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

30Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by 36the love of the Spirit, to 37strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31that I may be 38rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my 39service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the 4041saints; 32so that 42I may come to you in joy by 43the will of God and relax in your company. 33Now 44the God of peace be with you all. Amen.