8. I 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.
9. Jesus 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." (2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49)
10. Again it says, "You non-Jews, be full of joy. Be joyful together with God's people." (Deuteronomy 32:43)
11. And again it says, "All you non-Jews, praise the Lord. All you nations, sing praises to him." (Psalm 117:1)
12. And 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." (Isaiah 11:10)
13. May 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.
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.