ather that we may each be encouraged by the other's faith, I by
yours, and you by mine.

Brothers, I also wish you to know that many times I planned to come to
you (but thus far was prevented) that I might gather some fruit from my
labors among you, as I have already in the other nations. I have a duty
to perform both to Greeks and to barbarians; both to the wise and to the
ignorant; so I am eager to tell the good news to you also who are in
Rome. I am not ashamed of the good news, for it is the power of God that
is able to save every one who believes it, the Jew first and the Greek
as well.

Do not follow the example of those who have not heard the good news, but
be made different by a complete change of mind, so that you may be able
to know what is the will of God, even what is good and perfect and
acceptable to him.

Let your love be sincere; abhor that which is evil, cling to that which
is good. In your love for your brothers, feel genuine devotion for one
another. Be eager to honor one another. Never let your zeal grow less;
keep alive your enthusiasm; serve the Lord; rejoice in your hope. Be
patient in trouble, persevering in prayer; share with fellow Christians
in need, be friendly and generous.

Bless those who persecute you, bless and curse not. Rejoice with those
who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be sympathetic with one
another. Set not your heart on high things but be ready to do humble
tasks. Do not be conceited.

Do not pay back evil for evil; aim to do what is honorable in the eyes
of all men. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with
all men. Never seek revenge, dear friends, but let God punish those who
wrong you. Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is
thirsty, give him drink, for in so doing you will heap coals of fire
upon his head. Do not let evil overcome you, but overcome evil with
good.

Owe no man anything, except to love one another, for he who loves his
neighbor has done what the law demands. For all the commandments are
summed up in this one command: "You shall love your neighbor as
yourself." Love never wrongs a fellow man; that is why love meets all
the demands of the law.

I have, for several years, been longing to visit you when I go to Spain.
I am hoping to see you on my way there, and to be sent on my journey by
you after I have first enjoyed being with you for a time. But now I am
on my way to Jerusalem to do a service for God's people