1. If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves.
2. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them.
3. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, “The people who insulted you also insulted me.”
4. And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.
5. God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ.
6. Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7. Honour God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.
8. I tell you that Christ came as a servant of the Jews to show that God has kept the promises he made to their famous ancestors. Christ also came,
9. so that the Gentiles would praise God for being kind to them. It is just as the Scriptures say,“I will tell the nationsabout you,and I will sing praisesto your name.”
10. The Scriptures also say to the Gentiles, “Come and celebrate with God's people.”
11. Again the Scriptures say,“Praise the Lord,all you Gentiles.All you nations, comeand worship him.”
12. Isaiah says,“Someone from David's familywill come to power.He will rule the nations,and they will put their hopein him.”
13. I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
14. My friends, I am sure that you are very good and that you have all the knowledge you need to teach each other.
15. But I have spoken to you plainly and have tried to remind you of some things. God was so kind to me!
16. He chose me to be a servant of Christ Jesus for the Gentiles and to do the work of a priest in the service of his good news. God did this so that the Holy Spirit could make the Gentiles into a holy offering, pleasing to him.
17. Because of Christ Jesus, I can take pride in my service for God.