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)

⁵⁰ I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood^(A) cannot inherit the kingdom of God,^(B) nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.^{(C) 51} Listen, I tell you a mystery:^(D) We will not all sleep,^(E) but we will all be changed^(F)— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,^(G) the dead^(H) will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable^(I) must clothe itself with the imperishable,^(J) and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^[a](K)

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin,^(M) and the power of sin is the law.^{(N) 57} But thanks be to God!^(O) He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.^(P)

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,^(Q) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.^(R)

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly^(A) tent^(B) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ² Meanwhile we groan,^(C) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^{(D) 3} because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan^(E) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^(F) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(G)

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight.^{(H) 8} We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^(I)

⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,^(A) as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient^(B) with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.^(C)