For what the law could not do(A) since it was weakened by the flesh,(B) God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh(C) as a sin offering,[a](D) in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled(E) in us who do not walk according to the flesh(F) but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh,(G) but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh(H) is death,(I) but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile(J) to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh(K) cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.(L) If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,(M) he does not belong to him. 10 Now if Christ is in you,(N) the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit[b] gives life[c] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead(O) lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through[d] his Spirit who lives in you.

The Holy Spirit’s Ministries

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,(P) you will live. 14 For all those led by God’s Spirit(Q) are God’s sons.(R) 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.(S) Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption,(T) by whom we cry out, “Abba,[e] Father!” (U) 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit(V) that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs(W)—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him(X) so that we may also be glorified with him.

From Groans to Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing(Y) with the glory(Z) that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation(AA) for God’s sons(AB) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected(AC) to futility(AD)—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it(AE)—in the hope 21 that the creation itself(AF) will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains(AG) until now. 23 Not only that,(AH) but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits(AI)—we also groan within ourselves,(AJ) eagerly waiting for adoption,(AK) the redemption of our bodies.(AL) 24 Now in this hope(AM) we were saved, but hope(AN) that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see,(AO) we eagerly wait for it with patience.

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should,(AP) but the Spirit himself intercedes for us[f](AQ) with inexpressible groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts(AR) knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28 We know that all things work together[g] for the good[h] of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.(AS) 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined(AT) to be conformed to the image of his Son,(AU) so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.(AV)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:3 Or for sin
  2. 8:10 Or spirit
  3. 8:10 Or your spirit is alive
  4. 8:11 Other mss read because of
  5. 8:15 Aramaic for father
  6. 8:26 Some mss omit for us
  7. 8:28 Other mss read that God works together in all things
  8. 8:28 The ultimate good

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