¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.^{(A) 13} For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;^(B) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,^(C) you will live.^(D)

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God^(E) are the children of God.^{(F) 15} The Spirit^(G) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;^(H) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father.”^{(I) 16} The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit^(J) that we are God’s children.^{(K) 17} Now if we are children, then we are heirs^(L)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings^(M) in order that we may also share in his glory.^(N)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.^{(O) 19} For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God^(P) to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,^(Q) in hope ²¹ that^[c] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay^(R) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.^(S)

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning^(T) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,^(U) groan^(V) inwardly as we wait eagerly^(W) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.^{(X) 24} For in this hope we were saved.^(Y) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.^(Z) Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.^(AA)

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit^(AB) himself intercedes for us^(AC) through wordless groans.