Paul wants to visit Rome
8 First, because of what Jesus Christ has done for us, I thank my God for all of you. Everywhere in the world, people are talking about how you trust in Jesus Christ. 9 God is the one that I serve with my spirit. I tell people the message about his Son, which is good news. God himself knows that I pray for you all the time. 10 Every time that I pray for you, I ask God for a chance that I might visit you soon. I pray that he will make it possible if that is what he wants.
11 I want very much to come and visit you. Then I can give you some gift from God's Spirit. That will help you to be strong in your spirits. 12 We can help each other in this way, because both you and I trust Christ. 13 My Christian friends, I have often tried to visit you. I want you to know that. But until now, something has always stopped me. I want to see the results of my work among you. I have already been able to help other Gentiles in this way.
14 It is my duty to tell God's message to all people. I must tell his good news to people who have learned many things, and to those who have never been to school. I must tell it to people who are wise and to those who are not very clever. 15 Because of that, I want very much to tell God's good news also to you people who live in Rome.
16 I am not ashamed to tell people the good news. God uses that good news to show his great power. He uses it to save all people who believe in Jesus Christ. First, God saves Jews who believe the good news. And he also saves all Gentiles who believe. 17 The good news explains how God accepts people as right with himself. He does this when they believe in Christ. It is only because of their faith. Nothing else. This is what was written in the Bible long ago:
‘The righteous person will live because he trusts God.’
