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

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.^{(K) 19} For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God^(L) 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,^(M) in hope ²¹ that^[c] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay^(N) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.^(O)

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning^(P) 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,^(Q) groan^(R) inwardly as we wait eagerly^(S) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.^{(T) 24} For in this hope we were saved.^(U) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.^(V) Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.^(W)

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