The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
18 I have no interest in giving you a chatty account of my adventures, only the wondrously powerful and transformingly present words and deeds of Christ in me that triggered a believing response among the outsiders.
18
I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—
19 In such ways I have trailblazed a preaching of the Message of Jesus all the way from Jerusalem far into northwestern Greece.
19
by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
20 This has all been pioneer work, bringing the Message only into those places where Jesus was not yet known and worshiped.
20
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.
21 My text has been, Those who were never told of him - they'll see him! Those who've never heard of him - they'll get the message!
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Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”
22 And that's why it has taken me so long to finally get around to coming to you.
22
This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
23 But now that there is no more pioneering work to be done in these parts, and since I have looked forward to seeing you for many years,
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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,
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.