[continued from previous message]   
      
   [14] I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing   
   unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him   
   it is unclean.   
   [15] But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not   
   charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.   
   [16] Let not then your good be evil spoken of:   
   [17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and   
   peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.   
   [18] For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and   
   approved of men.   
   [19] Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and   
   things wherewith one may edify another.   
   [20] For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but   
   it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.   
   [21] It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing   
   whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.   
   [22] Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that   
   condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.   
   [23] And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of   
   faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.   
      
   Romans 15   
      
   Please Others, Not Yourself   
      
   1 (Ro 14:1; 1Th 5:14) We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses   
   of the weak and not please ourselves.   
   2 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 10:24) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good,   
   leading to edification.   
   3 (Ps 69:9; Jn 5:30) For even Christ did not please Himself.   
   But as it is written, "The insults of those who insulted You fell on Me."   
   (Ps 69:9).   
   4 (Ro 4:23-24) For whatever was previously written was written   
   for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement   
   of the Scriptures we might have hope.   
   5 (Ro 12:16; 1Co 1:10) Now may the God of perseverance and encouragement   
   grant you to live in harmony with one another in accordance with Christ   
   Jesus,   
   6 (Eph 1:3; Jn 20:17) so that together you may with one voice glorify   
   the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.   
      
   [1] We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and   
   not to please ourselves.   
   [2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.   
   [3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The   
   reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.   
   [4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our   
   learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have   
   hope.   
   [5] Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one   
   toward another according to Christ Jesus:   
   [6] That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of   
   our Lord Jesus Christ.   
      
   The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike   
      
   7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us,   
   for the glory of God.   
   8 (Mt 15:24; 2Co 1:20) Now I say that Jesus Christ has become   
   a servant to the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God,   
   to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,   
   9 (2Sa 22:50; Ps 18:49) and that the Gentiles might glorify God   
   for His mercy, as it is written:   
   "For this reason I will acknowledge You among the Gentiles,   
   and I will sing praises to Your name."(Ps 18:49.)   
   10 (Dt 32:43) He also says:   
   "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"(Dt 32:43.)   
   11 (Ps 117:1) And again:   
   "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;   
   let all the peoples praise Him."(Ps 117:1.)   
   12 (Isa 11:10; Mt 12:21) And again Isaiah says:   
   "There shall be a root of Jesse;   
   He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,   
   in Him shall the Gentiles hope."(Isa 11:10.)   
   13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy   
   and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,   
   through the power of the Holy Spirit.   
      
   [7] Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the   
   glory of God.   
   [8] Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the   
   truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:   
   [9] And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written,   
   For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy   
   name.   
   [10] And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.   
   [11] And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye   
   people.   
   [12] And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that   
   shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.   
   [13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that   
   ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.   
      
   Paul's Missionary Commission   
      
   14 (1Co 8:1; 8:7) Now I myself am persuaded concerning you, my brothers,   
   that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and also   
   able to instruct one another.   
   15 (Ro 12:3; 1:5) Nevertheless, brothers, I have written even more boldly   
   to you on some points, to remind you, because of the grace that is given to   
   me from God,   
   16 (Php 2:17; Ro 11:13; Ac 9:15) that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ   
   to the Gentiles, in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that   
   the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified   
   by the Holy Spirit.   
   17 (Heb 5:1; Php 3:3) In Christ Jesus therefore I have reason to boast   
   in my service to God.   
   18 (Ac 15:12; 21:19) For I will not dare to speak of anything except   
   what Christ has accomplished through me, to make the Gentiles obedient,   
   by word and deed,   
   19 (Ac 22:17-21; 2Co 12:12) by the power of signs and wonders,   
   by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem   
   and as far around as Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel   
   of Christ.   
   20 (2Co 10:13-16) So I have strived to preach the gospel,   
   not where Christ was named, so that I should not build on another man's   
   foundation.   
   21 (Isa 52:15) But as it is written:   
   "To whom He was not announced, they shall see;   
   and those who have not heard shall understand."(Isa 52:15.)   
      
   [14] And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are   
   full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one   
   another.   
   [15] Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some   
   sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of   
   God,   
   [16] That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,   
   ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be   
   acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.   
   [17] I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those   
   things which pertain to God.   
   [18] For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath   
   not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,   
   [19] Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so   
   that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached   
   the gospel of Christ.   
   [20] Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was   
   named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:   
   [21] But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and   
   they that have not heard shall understand.   
      
   Paul's Plan to Visit Rome   
      
   22 (Ro 1:13) For this reason also I was often hindered from coming to you.   
   23 (Ro 15:32; Ac 19:21) But now, no longer having a place in these regions,   
   and having a great desire for many years to come to you,   
   24 (Ro 15:28; Ac 15:3) whenever I go to Spain, I shall come to you,   
   for I hope to see you when I pass through and to be helped on my way   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)