Romans 8:18-9:16

English Standard Version

Future Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time ^(A)are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for ^(B)the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation ^(C)was subjected to futility, not willingly, but ^(D)because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that ^(E)the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that ^(F)the whole creation ^(G)has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have ^(H)the firstfruits of the Spirit, ^(I)groan inwardly as ^(J)we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, ^(K)the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For ^(L)in this hope we were saved. Now ^(M)hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we ^(N)wait for it with patience.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For ^(O)we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but ^(P)the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And ^(Q)he who searches hearts knows what is ^(R)the mind of the Spirit, because^[a] the Spirit ^(S)intercedes for the saints ^(T)according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together ^(U)for good,^[b] for ^(V)those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he ^(W)foreknew he also ^(X)predestined ^(Y)to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be ^(Z)the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also ^(AA)justified, and those whom he justified he also ^(AB)glorified.

God's Everlasting Love

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? ^(AC)If God is for us, who can be^[c] against us? ^32 (AD)He who did not spare his own Son but ^(AE)gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? ^(AF)It is God who justifies. ^34 (AG)Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—^(AH)who is at the right hand of God, ^(AI)who indeed is interceding for us.^{[d] 35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than ^(AL)conquerors through ^(AM)him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God's Sovereign Choice

9 ^(AN)I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For ^(AO)I could wish that I myself were ^(AP)accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,^[e] my kinsmen ^(AQ)according to the flesh. ⁴ They are ^(AR)Israelites, and to them belong ^(AS)the adoption, ^(AT)the glory, ^(AU)the covenants, ^(AV)the giving of the law, ^(AW)the worship, and ^(AX)the promises. ⁵ To them belong ^(AY)the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, ^(AZ)who is God over all, ^(BA)blessed forever. Amen.

⁶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, ⁷ and not all are children of Abraham ^(BB)because they are his offspring, but ^(BC)“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” ⁸ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but ^(BD)the children of the promise are counted as offspring. ⁹ For this is what the promise said: ^(BE)“About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁰ And not only so, but ^(BF)also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, ¹¹ though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of ^(BG)him who calls— ¹² she was told, ^(BH)“The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, ^(BI)“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

¹⁴ What shall we say then? ^(BJ)Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! ¹⁵ For he says to Moses, ^(BK)“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” ¹⁶ So then it depends not on human will or exertion,^[f] but on God, who has mercy.