Romans 1:1-15

1This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

2God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.

3The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line,

4and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

5Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

6And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.

7I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

8Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world.

9God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

10One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.

11For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.

12When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

13I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles.

14For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.

15So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.