15
1 We who are strong-minded—who lack concerns about food or days or whatever—ought to bear with the particular concerns of those who lack this robust outlook, and not simply please ourselves. 2 Indeed, each of us should seek to please our neighbors, seeking what is good for them—what will build them up. 3 In just this way the Messiah did not please himself but, as it is written, ‘the insults of those insulting you fell upon me.’ 4 Now whatever was written beforehand was written to instruct us so that through the perseverance and the encouragement that come from the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 So may the God of perseverance and encouragement give you the same mentality amongst yourselves that characterized the Messiah Jesus, 6 so that in unity, speaking as if with just one mouth, you might glorify the God and father of our heavenly ruler, Jesus the Messiah. 7 It follows from all this then that you should accept one another just as the Messiah accepted you, ultimately so that you might be a part of the shining light that comes from God. 8 Indeed, I would say that the Messiah has become a servant of those who have had their foreskins removed, ultimately to establish the promises that were made to the ancestors of the Jews, thereby acting on behalf of God’s faithfulness, 9and so that the pagans might give glory to God for his mercy. As the Scriptures say,
“For this reason I will confess you among the pagan nations,
And I will sing songs about your name.”
10 And it says again,
“Rejoice, pagans, with his people!”
11 And again,
“All you pagan nations, praise your ruler in heaven;
All you people, praise him.”
12 And Isaiah says, again,
“The one descended from Jesse will be
A figure raised up to rule the nations;
All the pagans will place their hope in him.”
13 So may the God of hope
fill up all your thinking with joy and peace,
Through the power of [his] divine spirit,
So that you overflow with hope.