13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment(A) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.(B) 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.(C) But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.(D) 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.(E) Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.(F) 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.(G) 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,(H) but of righteousness, peace(I) and joy in the Holy Spirit,(J) 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.(K)

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace(L) and to mutual edification.(M) 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.(N) All food is clean,(O) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.(P) 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.(Q)

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn(R) himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts(S) is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[a]

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak(T) and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,(U) to build them up.(V) For even Christ did not please himself(W) but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[b](X) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,(Y) so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind(Z) toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify(AA) the God and Father(AB) of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept one another,(AC) then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[c](AD) on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises(AE) made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles(AF) might glorify God(AG) for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”[d](AH)

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[e](AI)

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”[f](AJ)

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse(AK) will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”[g](AL)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace(AM) as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(AN)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts place 16:25-27 here; others after 15:33.
  2. Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
  3. Romans 15:8 Greek circumcision
  4. Romans 15:9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
  5. Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43
  6. Romans 15:11 Psalm 117:1
  7. Romans 15:12 Isaiah 11:10 (see Septuagint)

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