14. My brothers and sisters, I am sure that you are full of goodness. What you know is complete. You are able to teach one another.
15. I have written to you very boldly about some things. I wanted you to think about them again. The grace of God has allowed me
16. to serve Christ Jesus among those who aren't Jews. My duty as a priest is to preach God's good news. Then the non-Jews will become an offering that pleases God. The Holy Spirit will make the offering holy.
17. Because I belong to Christ Jesus, I can take pride in my work for God.
18. I will not try to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me. He has been leading those who aren't Jews to obey God. He has been doing this by what I have said and done.
19. He has given me power to do signs and miracles. He has given me the power of the Holy Spirit. From Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have finished preaching the good news about Christ.
20. I have always wanted to preach the good news where Christ was not known. I don't want to build on what someone else has started.
21. It is written, "Those who were not told about him will understand. Those who have not heard will know what it all means." (Isaiah 52:15)
22. That's why I have often been kept from coming to you.
23. Now there is no more place for me to work in those areas. For many years I have been longing to see you.
24. So I plan to see you when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while I am passing through. And I hope you will help me on my journey there. But first I want to enjoy being with you for a while.
25. Now I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve God's people there.
26. The believers in Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to take an offering for those who were poor among God's people in Jerusalem.
27. They were happy to do it. And of course they owe it to them. Those who aren't Jews have shared from the Jews' spiritual blessings. So the non-Jews should share their earthly blessings with the Jews.