¶ We which are strong ought to bear the frailness of them which are weak, and not to stand in our own conceits. Let every man please his neighbor unto his wealth and edifying. For Christ pleased not himself: but as it is written: The rebukes of them which rebuked thee, fell on me. Whatsoever things are written aforetime, are written for our learning that we thorow patience and comfort of the scripture should have hope.
¶ God which is Lord of patience and consolation, give unto every one of you, that ye be likeminded one towards another after the ensample of Iesu Christ, that ye all agreeing together, may with one mouth praise God the father of our Lord Iesus. Wherefore receive ye one another as Christ received us, to the praise of God.
¶ And I say that Iesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. And let the gentiles praise God for his mercy. As it is written: For this cause I will praise thee among the gentiles, and sing in thy name. And again he saith: ye gentiles rejoice with his people. Again, praise the Lord all ye gentiles, and laud him all nations. And in another place Esaias saith: there shall be the roote of Iesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the gentiles: in him shall the gentiles trust. The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may be rich in hope thorow the power of the holy ghost.
¶ I myself am full certified of you my brethren that ye yourselves are full of goodness, and filled with all knowledge, and are able to counsel one another. Nevertheless brethren I have somewhat boldly written unto you, as one that putteth you in remembrance, for the grace which is given me of God for this purpose that I should be the minister of Iesu Christ among the gentiles, and should minister the glad tidings of God, that the gentiles might be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the holy ghost. I have therefore whereof I may rejoice in Christ Iesu, in those things which pertain to God. For I dare not speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me (to make the gentiles obedient) with word and deed, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the spirit of God, so that from Ierusalem and the coasts round about, unto Illiricum, I have filled all countries with glad tidings of Christ.
¶ So have I enforced myself to preach the gospell, not where Christ was named, lest I should have built on another man's foundation: but as it is written: To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that heard not, shall understand. For this cause I have been ofte let to come unto you: but now seeing I have no more to do in these countries, and also have been desirous many years to come unto you, when I shall take my journey into Spayne, I will come to you. I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you after that I have somewhat enjoyed you.
¶ Now go I unto Ierusalem, and minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certain distribution upon the poor saints which are at Ierusalem. It hath pleased them verily, and their debtors are they. For if the gentiles be made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is to minister unto them in carnal things. When I have performed this, and have shewed them this fruit, I will come back again by you into Spayne. And I am sure when I come, that I shall come with abundance of the blessing of the gospell of Christ.
¶ I beseech you brethren for our Lord Iesu Christe's sake, and for the love of the spirit, that ye help me in my business, with your prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from them which believe not in Jewry. and that this my service, which I have to Ierusalem, may be accepted of the saints, that I may come unto you with joy, by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. The God of peace be with all you Amen.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526