5May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.

6Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

8Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews15:8 Greek servant of circumcision. to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors.

9He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:

13I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

20My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.

21I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says,

25But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers15:25 Greek God’s holy people; also in 15:26, 31. there.

26For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia15:26 Macedonia and Achaia were the northern and southern regions of Greece. have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.

27They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.

28As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain.

29And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.

30Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.

31Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation15:31 Greek the ministry; other manuscripts read the gift. I am taking to Jerusalem.

32Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.

33And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.15:33 Some manuscripts do not include Amen. One very early manuscript places 16:25-27 here.