Romans 8:12-27

New King James Version

Sonship Through the Spirit

^12 (A)Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For ^(B)if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you ^(C)put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For ^(D)as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For ^(E)you did not receive the spirit of bondage again ^(F)to fear, but you received the ^(G)Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ^(H)“Abba,^[a] Father.” ^16 (I)The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then ^(J)heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, ^(K)if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

From Suffering to Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that ^(L)the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For ^(M)the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For ^(N)the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of ^[b]corruption into the glorious ^(O)liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation ^(P)groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have ^(Q)the firstfruits of the Spirit, ^(R)even we ourselves groan ^(S)within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the ^(T)redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but ^(U)hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For ^(V)we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but ^(W)the Spirit Himself makes intercession ^[c]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now ^(X)He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints ^(Y)according to the will of God.