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.^{(A) 19} For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God^(B) 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,^(C) in hope ²¹ that^[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay^(D) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.^(E)

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning^(F) 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,^(G) groan^(H) inwardly as we wait eagerly^(I) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.^{(J) 24} For in this hope we were saved.^(K) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.^(L) Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.^(M)

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^(N) himself intercedes for us^(O) through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts^(P) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes^(Q) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good^(R) of those who love him, who^[b] have been called^(S) according to his purpose.^{(T) 29} For those God foreknew^(U) he also predestined^(V) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(W) that he might be the firstborn^(X) among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined,^(Y) he also called;^(Z) those he called, he also justified;^(AA) those he justified, he also glorified.^(AB)

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things?^(AC) If God is for us,^(AD) who can be against us?^{(AE) 32} He who did not spare his own Son,^(AF) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge^(AG) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns?^(AH) No one. Christ Jesus who died^(AI)—more than that, who was raised to life^(AJ)—is at the right hand of God^(AK) and is also interceding for us.^{(AL) 35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(AM) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^{(AN) 36} As it is written:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(AP) through him who loved us.^{(AQ) 38} For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[d] neither the present nor the future,^(AR) nor any powers,^{(AS) 39} neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God^(AT) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(AU)

Concluding Exhortations

13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.^{(A) 2} Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,^(B) for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.^{(C) 3} Continue to remember those in prison^(D) as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

⁴ Marriage should be honored by all,^(E) and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.^{(F) 5} Keep your lives free from the love of money^(G) and be content with what you have,^(H) because God has said,

⁶ So we say with confidence,

⁷ Remember your leaders,^(K) who spoke the word of God^(L) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate^(M) their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.^(N)

⁹ Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.^(O) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened^(P) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,^(Q) which is of no benefit to those who do so.^{(R) 10} We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle^(S) have no right to eat.^(T)

¹¹ The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,^(U) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.^{(V) 12} And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate^(W) to make the people holy^(X) through his own blood.^{(Y) 13} Let us, then, go to him^(Z) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.^{(AA) 14} For here we do not have an enduring city,^(AB) but we are looking for the city that is to come.^(AC)

¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice^(AD) of praise—the fruit of lips^(AE) that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others,^(AF) for with such sacrifices^(AG) God is pleased.

¹⁷ Have confidence in your leaders^(AH) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you^(AI) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

¹⁸ Pray for us.^(AJ) We are sure that we have a clear conscience^(AK) and desire to live honorably in every way. ¹⁹ I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.^(AL)

Benediction and Final Greetings

²⁰ Now may the God of peace,^(AM) who through the blood of the eternal covenant^(AN) brought back from the dead^(AO) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,^{(AP) 21} equip you with everything good for doing his will,^(AQ) and may he work in us^(AR) what is pleasing to him,^(AS) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(AT)