\{It is like\} some of the branches from an olive tree have been broken off, and the branch of a wild olive tree has been joined to that first tree. You non-Jews are the same as that wild branch, and you now share the strength and life of the first tree (the Jews).
When you sin against your brothers and sisters in Christ like this and you hurt them by causing them to do things they feel are wrong, then you are also sinning against Christ.
To the people that are weak, I became weak so that I could help save them. I have become all things to all people. I did this so that I could save people in any way possible.
When I wrote to you before, I was very troubled and unhappy in my heart. I wrote with many tears. I did not write to make you sad. I wrote so that you could know how much I love you.
So I patiently accept all these troubles. I do this to help all the people that God has chosen. I accept these troubles so that those people can have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. With that salvation comes glory that never ends.
So all of you should think about Jesus. God sent Jesus to us, and he is the high priest {\cf2\super [15]} of our faith. I tell you to think about him, my brothers and sisters, because God chose you to be his holy {\cf2\super [16]} people.
Now I have something to say to the elders {\cf2\super [30]} in your group. I am also an elder. I myself have seen Christ’s sufferings. And I will share in the glory that will be shown to us. I beg you to
Now we tell you the things that we have seen and heard. Why? Because we want you to have fellowship {\cf2\super [1]} together with us. The fellowship we share together is with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.