²¹ But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”^(A) Then he set sail from Ephesus.

¹¹ The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!^(A) As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”^(B)

¹³ I do not want you to be unaware,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a](B) that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now)^(C) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

²² This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.^(A)

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

²³ But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,^{(B) 24} I plan to do so when I go to Spain.^(C) I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist^(D) me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. ²⁵ Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem^(E) in the service^(F) of the Lord’s people^(G) there. ²⁶ For Macedonia^(H) and Achaia^(I) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.^{(J) 27} They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.^{(K) 28} So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain^(L) and visit you on the way. ²⁹ I know that when I come to you,^(M) I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.