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)

Paul’s Anguish Over Israel

9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying,^(AV) my conscience confirms^(AW) it through the Holy Spirit— ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself^(AX) were cursed^(AY) and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people,^(AZ) those of my own race,^{(BA) 4} the people of Israel.^(BB) Theirs is the adoption to sonship;^(BC) theirs the divine glory,^(BD) the covenants,^(BE) the receiving of the law,^(BF) the temple worship^(BG) and the promises.^{(BH) 5} Theirs are the patriarchs,^(BI) and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah,^(BJ) who is God over all,^(BK) forever praised!^[e](BL) Amen.

God’s Sovereign Choice

⁶ It is not as though God’s word^(BM) had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.^{(BN) 7} Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”^{[f](BO) 8} In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children,^(BP) but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.^{(BQ) 9} For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”^[g](BR)

¹⁰ Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.^{(BS) 11} Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad^(BT)—in order that God’s purpose^(BU) in election might stand: ¹² not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”^{[h](BV) 13} Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”^[i](BW)

¹⁴ What then shall we say?^(BX) Is God unjust? Not at all!^{(BY) 15} For he says to Moses,

¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.^(CA)