Romans 15-16; Psalms 140 - Prayer Tents

Living to Please Others

15We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.G2249G1161G1415G3784G941G771G102G2532G3361G700G1438 2We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.G1063G700G1538G2257G700G4139G1519G18G4314G3619 3For even Christ didn't live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, "The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me."G1063G2532G5547G700G3756G1438G235G2531G1125G3680G3679G4571G1968G1909G1691 4Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.G1063G3745G4270G4270G1519G2251G1319G2443G2192G1223G5281G2532G3874G1124G2192G1680 5May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.G1161G2316G5281G2532G3874G1325G5213G846G5426G240G1722G240G2596G5547G2424 6Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.G2443G1392G3661G1722G1520G4750G1392G2316G2532G3962G2257G2962G2424G5547 7Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.G1352G4355G240G2531G2532G5547G2531G4355G2248G1519G1391G2316 8Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors.G1161G3004G2424G5547G1096G1249G4061G5228G225G2316G1519G950G1860G3962 9He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: "For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name."G1161G1484G1392G2316G5228G1656G2531G1125G1223G5124G1223G1843G4671G1722G1484G2532G5567G4675G3686 10And in another place it is written, "Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles."G2532G3825G3004G2165G1484G3326G846G2992 11And yet again, "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth."G2532G3825G134G2962G3956G134G1484G2532G1867G846G3956G2992 12And in another place Isaiah said, "The heir to David's throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him."G2532G3825G2268G3004G2071G4491G2421G2532G450G757G1484G1909G846G1679G1484G1679 13I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.G1161G2316G1680G4137G5209G3956G5479G2532G1515G1722G4100G1519G5209G4052G1722G1680G1722G1411G40G4151

Paul’s Reason for Writing

14I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them.G1161G1473G846G2532G3982G4012G5216G3450G80G3754G846G2532G2075G3324G19G4137G3956G1108G1410G2532G3560G240 15Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God's grace,G1161G80G1125G5112G5213G575G3313G5613G1878G5209G1878G1223G5485G1325G3427G5259G2316 16I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.G3165G1519G1511G3011G2424G5547G1519G1484G2418G2098G2316G2443G4376G1484G1096G2144G37G1722G40G4151 17So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God.G2192G3767G2746G1722G2424G5547G4314G2316 18Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.G1063G5111G3756G5111G2980G5100G3739G5547G2716G3756G2716G1223G1700G1519G1484G5218G3056G2532G2041 19They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.G1722G1411G4592G2532G5059G1722G1411G4151G2316G5620G575G2419G2532G2945G3360G2437G3165G4137G2098G5547 20My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.G1161G3779G5389G2097G3756G3699G5547G3687G3363G3618G1909G245G2310 21I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, "Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand."G235G2531G1125G3739G846G312G3756G312G4012G3700G2532G3739G191G3756G191G4920 22In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.G1352G2532G1465G4183G1465G2064G4314G5209

Paul’s Travel Plans

23But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you.G1161G3570G2192G3371G5117G1722G575G5125G2824G1161G2192G1974G4183G2094G2064G4314G5209 24I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.G5613G1437G4198G1519G4681G2064G4314G5209G1063G1679G2300G5209G1279G2532G4311G1563G5259G5216G1437G4412G1705G3313G1705G575G5216 25But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there.G1161G3570G4198G1519G2419G1247G40 26For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.G1063G2106G3109G2532G882G4160G5100G2842G1519G4434G40G3588G1722G2419 27They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.G2106G1063G2532G846G3781G1526G1063G1487G1484G2841G846G4152G3784G2532G3008G846G1722G4559 28As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain.G3767G2005G5124G2532G4972G846G5126G2590G565G1223G5216G1519G4681 29And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.G1161G1492G3754G2064G4314G5209G2064G1722G4138G2129G2098G5547 30Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.G1161G3870G5209G80G1223G2962G2424G5547G2257G2532G1223G26G4151G4865G3427G1722G4335G4314G2316G5228G1700 31Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem.G2443G4506G575G544G1722G2449G2532G2443G3450G1248G3588G1519G2419G1096G2144G40 32Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.G2443G2064G4314G5209G1722G5479G1223G2307G2316G2532G4875G5213G4875 33And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.G1161G2316G1515G3326G5216G3956G281

Paul Greets His Friends

16I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea.G1161G4921G5213G5402G2257G79G5607G1249G1577G3588G1722G2747 2Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God's people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.G2443G4327G846G1722G2962G516G40G2532G3936G846G1722G3739G302G4229G5535G5216G1063G3778G846G1096G4368G4183G2532G846G1700G2532 3Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus.G782G4252G2532G207G3450G4904G1722G5547G2424 4In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.G3748G5294G5228G3450G5590G5294G1438G5137G3739G3756G3441G1473G2168G235G2532G3956G1577G1484 5Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ.G2532G1577G2596G846G3624G782G3450G27G1866G3739G2076G536G882G1519G5547 6Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit.G782G3137G3748G2872G4183G2872G1519G2248 7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did.G782G408G2532G2458G3450G4773G2532G3450G4869G3748G1526G1978G1722G652G3739G2532G1096G1722G5547G4253G1700 8Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.G782G291G3450G27G1722G2962 9Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.G782G3773G2257G4904G1722G5547G2532G4720G3450G27 10Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus.G782G559G1384G1722G5547G782G3588G1537G711 11Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord's people from the household of Narcissus.G782G2267G3450G4773G782G3588G1537G3488G3588G5607G1722G2962 12Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord's workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord.G782G5170G2532G5173G2872G1722G2962G782G27G4069G3748G2872G4183G1722G2962 13Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.G782G4504G1588G1722G2962G2532G846G3384G2532G1700 14Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them.G782G799G5393G2057G3969G2060G2532G80G4862G846 15Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them.G782G5378G2532G2456G3517G2532G846G79G2532G3652G2532G3956G40G4862G846 16Greet each other in Christian love. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.G782G240G1722G40G5370G1577G5547G782G5209

Paul’s Final Instructions

17And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.G1161G3870G5209G80G4648G4160G1370G2532G4625G3844G1322G3739G5210G3129G2532G1578G575G846 18Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.G1063G5108G1398G3756G2257G2962G2424G5547G235G1438G2836G2532G1223G5542G2532G2129G1818G2588G172 19But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.G1063G5216G5218G864G1519G3956G5463G3767G1909G5213G1909G1161G2309G5209G4680G1519G1511G3303G18G1161G185G1519G2556 20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.G1161G2316G1515G4937G4567G5259G5216G4228G1722G5034G5485G2257G2962G2424G5547G3326G5216G281 21Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.G5095G3450G4904G2532G3066G2532G2394G2532G4989G3450G4773G782G5209 22I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord's followers.G1473G5060G1125G1992G782G5209G1722G2962 23Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.G1050G3450G3581G2532G3650G1577G782G5209G2037G3623G4172G782G5209G2532G2890G80 24G5485G2257G2962G2424G5547G3326G5216G3956G281 25Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.G1161G1410G4741G5209G2596G3450G2098G2532G2782G2424G5547G2596G602G3466G4601G5550G166 26But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.G1161G3568G5319G5037G1223G1124G4397G2596G2003G166G2316G1107G1519G3956G1484G1519G5218G4102 27All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.G2316G3441G4680G1391G1223G2424G5547G1519G165G281

140[For the choir director: A psalm of David.] O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent,H5329H4210H1732H2502H3068H7451H120H5341H2555H376 2those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long.H2803H7451H3820H3117H1481H4421 3Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips. InterludeH8150H3956H5175H5919H2534H8193H5542 4O Lord, keep me out of the hands of the wicked. Protect me from those who are violent, for they are plotting against me.H8104H3068H3027H7563H5341H2555H376H2803H1760H6471 5The proud have set a trap to catch me; they have stretched out a net; they have placed traps all along the way. InterludeH1343H2934H6341H2256H6566H7568H3027H4570H7896H4170H5542 6I said to the Lord, “You are my God!” Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!H559H3068H410H238H6963H8469H3068 7O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me, you protected me on the day of battle.H3069H136H5797H3444H5526H7218H3117H5402 8Lord, do not let evil people have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become proud. InterludeH5414H3068H3970H7563H6329H2162H7311H5542 9Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me.H7218H4524H5999H8193H3680 10Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.H1513H4131H4131H5307H784H4113H6965 11Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.H376H3956H3559H776H7451H6679H2555H376H4073 12But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor.H3045H3068H6213H1779H6041H4941H34 13Surely righteous people are praising your name; the godly will live in your presence.H6662H3034H8034H3477H3427H6440