And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that I often purposed to come unto you, (but have been hindered hitherto) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the other Gentiles.

for if we have been planted together in the resemblance of his death, so shall we be also of his resurrection.

And as Esaias said before, "Except the Lord of hosts had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and we had been made like unto Gomorrah."

so these also in your mercy have now been disobedient, that they themselves might be the objects of mercy.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor?

I know and have been taught by the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: only to him that thinketh any thing unclean, to him it is unclean.

being studious however so to preach the gospel, not where Christ had been named, least I should build upon another man's foundation;

And thus I have been much hindered from coming to you:

For the Macedonians and Achaians have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem.

that ye receive her in the Lord as becometh saints, and assist her in whatever affair she may have need of you; for she also hath been a helper of many others, as well as of myself.