Romans 15:1–13

We who have strong faith should help the weak with their problems. We should not please only ourselves. ²We should all please our neighbors. Let us do what is good for them. Let us build them up.

³Even Christ did not please himself. It is written, “Those who make fun of you have made fun of me also.” ⁴Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They cheer us up and give us hope.

⁵Our God is a God who strengthens you and cheers you up. May he help you agree with each other as you follow Christ Jesus. ⁶Then you can give glory to God with one heart and voice. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁷Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God.

⁸I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews. He teaches us that God is true. He shows us that God will keep the promises he made to the founders of our nation. ⁹Jesus became a servant of the Jews so that people who are not Jews could give glory to God for his mercy. It is written,

“I will praise you among those who aren’t Jews.

I will sing praises to you.”

¹⁰Again it says,

“You non-Jews, be full of joy.

Be joyful together with God’s people.”

¹¹And again it says,

“All you non-Jews, praise the Lord.

All you nations, sing praises to him.”

¹²And Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will grow up quickly.

He will rule over the nations.

Those who aren’t Jews will put their hope in him.”

¹³May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.