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Romans 8
Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Life-Giving Spirit

8 Therefore, no condemnation(A) now exists for those in(B) Christ Jesus,[a](C) 2 because the Spirit’s law of life(D) in Christ Jesus has set you[b] free from the law of sin and of death.(E) 3 What the law could not do(F) since it was limited[c] by the flesh,(G) God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours(H) under sin’s domain,[d] and as a sin offering,(I) 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished(J) in us who do not walk according to the flesh(K) but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live[e] according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh,(L) but those who live[f] according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh(M) is death,(N) but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile(O) to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh(P) cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since[g] the Spirit of God lives in you.(Q) But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,(R) he does not belong to Him. 10 Now if Christ is in you,(S) the body is dead[h] because of sin, but the Spirit[i] is life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead(T) lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through[j] His Spirit who lives in you.

The Holy Spirit’s Ministries

12 So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for 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,(U) you will live. 14 All those led by God’s Spirit(V) are God’s sons.(W) 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,(X) but you received the Spirit of adoption,(Y) by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”(Z) 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit(AA) that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs(AB)—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that[k] we suffer with Him(AC) 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(AD) with the glory(AE) that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation(AF) for God’s sons(AG) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected(AH) to futility(AI)—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it(AJ)—in the hope 21 that the creation itself(AK) will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains(AL) until now. 23 And not only that,(AM) but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits(AN)—we also groan within ourselves,(AO) eagerly waiting for adoption,(AP) the redemption of our bodies.(AQ) 24 Now in this hope(AR) we were saved, yet hope(AS) that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see,(AT) we eagerly wait for it with patience.

26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should,(AU) but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us[l](AV) with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts(AW) knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28 We know that all things work together[m] for the good[n] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.(AX) 29 For those He foreknew He also predestined(AY) to be conformed to the image of His Son,(AZ) so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.(BA) 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified;(BB) and those He justified, He also glorified.(BC)

The Believer’s Triumph

31 What then are we to say about these things?(BD)
If God is for us, who is against us?(BE)
32 He did not even spare His own Son(BF)
but offered Him up for us all;(BG)
how will He not also with Him grant us everything?
33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?(BH)
God is the One who justifies.(BI)
34 Who is the one who condemns?(BJ)
Christ Jesus is the One who died,(BK)
but even more, has been raised;(BL)
He also is at the right hand of God(BM)
and intercedes for us.(BN)
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Can affliction(BO) or anguish or persecution(BP)
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
Because of You
we are being put to death all day long;(BQ)
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.(BR)[o]
37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious(BS)
through Him who loved us.(BT)
38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life,(BU)
angels or rulers,(BV)
things present or things to come,(BW) hostile powers,
39 height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God(BX) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!(BY)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:1 Other mss add who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit
  2. Romans 8:2 Other mss read me
  3. Romans 8:3 Or weak
  4. Romans 8:3 Lit in the likeness of sinful flesh
  5. Romans 8:5 Or those who are
  6. Romans 8:5 Or those who are
  7. Romans 8:9 Or provided that
  8. Romans 8:10 Or the body will die
  9. Romans 8:10 Or spirit
  10. Romans 8:11 Other mss read because of
  11. Romans 8:17 Or provided that
  12. Romans 8:26 Some mss omit for us
  13. Romans 8:28 Other mss read that God works together in all things
  14. Romans 8:28 The ultimate good
  15. Romans 8:36 Ps 44:22
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Romans 8
Expanded Bible

Be Ruled by the Spirit

8 So now, those who are in Christ Jesus are not ·judged guilty[a] [condemned; punished for their sins]. 2 [L For] ·Through [or In] Christ Jesus the ·law [principle; or power] of the Spirit that brings life set you[b] free from the ·law [principle; or power] that brings sin and death. 3 The law [C of Moses] was without power, because the law was made weak by our ·sinful selves [sinful nature; T flesh]. But God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son to earth ·with the same human life that others use for sin [or in a body like ours, prone to sin; L in the likeness of sinful flesh]. By sending his Son ·to be an offering for sin [L concerning sin], God ·used a human life to destroy sin [L condemned sin in the flesh]. 4 He did this so that ·we could be the kind of people that the law demands that we be [L the law’s righteous/just requirements would be fulfilled in us]. Now we do not ·live [walk; C life’s journey] following our ·sinful selves [sinful nature; T flesh], but following the Spirit.

5 Those who live following their ·sinful selves [sinful nature; T flesh] ·think only about [have their minds set on; or have their outlook shaped by] things that their ·sinful selves [sinful nature; T flesh] want. But those who live following the Spirit ·are thinking about [have their minds set on; or have their outlook shaped by] the things ·the Spirit wants them to do [L of the Spirit]. 6 If people’s ·thinking is controlled by [or outlook/mind is set on] the ·sinful self [sinful nature; T flesh], ·there is [the result is] death. But if their ·thinking is controlled by [or outlook/mind is set on] the Spirit, ·there is [the result is] life and peace. 7 When people’s ·thinking is controlled by [or outlook/mind is set on] the ·sinful self [sinful nature; T flesh], they are ·against [hostile to] God, because they refuse to ·obey [submit to] God’s law and really are not even able to ·obey [submit to] God’s law. 8 Those people who are ·ruled by [or under the control of; L in] ·their sinful selves [their sinful nature; T the flesh] cannot please God.

9 But you are not ·ruled by [controlled by; or in] ·your sinful selves [your sinful nature; T the flesh], but ·by [or in] the Spirit, if that Spirit of God really lives in you. But the person who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. 10 Your body ·will always be [L is] dead because of sin. But if Christ is in you, then the Spirit ·gives you [L is] life, because ·Christ made you right with God [L of righteousness]. 11 God raised Jesus from the dead, and if God’s Spirit is living in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies that die, through[c] his Spirit who lives in you.

12 So, my brothers and sisters, we ·must not be ruled by [L are not obligated to] ·our sinful selves [our sinful nature; T the flesh] or live ·the way our sinful selves want [according to the sinful nature/T flesh]. 13 [L For] If you ·use your lives to do the wrong things your sinful selves want [L live according to the flesh], you will ·die spiritually [L die]. But if you ·use the Spirit’s help to [L by the Spirit] ·stop doing the wrong things you do with [L put to death the deeds of] your body, you will ·have true life [L live].

14 For all those who are led by the Spirit of God are the ·children [or sons] of God. 15 ·The Spirit you received does not make you slaves again to fear [or You did not receive the spirit of slavery, leading to fear]; instead, you received the Spirit ·who adopts you as God’s children [L of adoption]. ·With [Through] that Spirit we cry out, “Abba [C Aramaic for “Father”; Mark 14:36], Father.” 16 And the Spirit himself ·joins with [or testifies to] our spirits to say we are God’s children. 17 If we are God’s children, we ·will receive blessings from God together with Christ [L are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ]. ·But we must [L …if indeed we] ·suffer as Christ suffered [share in his sufferings] so that we ·will have glory as Christ has glory [may share in his glory].

Our Future Glory

18 [L For I consider that] The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be ·shown [revealed] to us. 19 ·Everything God made [L The creation] is waiting with ·excitement [eager expectation] for ·God to show his children’s glory completely [the revelation of the children/sons of God]. 20 ·Everything God made [L For the creation] was ·changed to become useless [subjected to futility/meaninglessness; Gen. 3; Eccl. 1:2], not by its own wish but because God ·wanted [L subjected] it ·and because all along there was this hope [yet with the hope…]: 21 that ·everything God made [the creation itself] would be set free from ·ruin [inevitable decay; L the slavery of decay] to have the ·freedom and glory [or glorious freedom] that belong to God’s children.

22 We know that ·everything God made [all creation] has been ·waiting until now in pain, like a woman ready to give birth [L groaning with labor pains until now]. 23 Not only the world, but we also ·have been waiting with pain inside us [L groan within ourselves]. We have the Spirit as the ·first part of God’s promise [L firstfruits; C as the first crops confirmed the future harvest, so the Spirit’s presence confirms believers’ final salvation]. So we are [eagerly] waiting for ·God to finish making us his own children [L our adoption], which means ·our bodies will be made free [L the redemption of our bodies]. 24 We were saved, ·and we have this hope [or …by this hope; L in hope]. If we see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. ·People do not hope [L For who hopes…?] for something they already have. 25 But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it ·patiently [with perseverance].

26 ·Also [or In the same way], the Spirit helps us ·with [or in] our weakness. We do not know ·how to pray as we should [or what we ought to pray for]. But the Spirit himself ·speaks to God for us [intercedes] with ·deep feelings [L groanings] ·that words cannot explain [or that are inexpressible; or that are unspoken; or too deep for words]. 27 ·God can see what is in people’s hearts and [L The one who searches hearts] knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit ·speaks to God [intercedes; appeals] for ·his people [or his holy people; T the saints] ·in the way God wants [or in harmony with God; L according to God].

28 We know that ·in everything God works [or God works everything together; or everything works together (see text note)] for the good of those who love him.[d] They are the people he called, ·because that was his plan [L …according to his purpose]. 29 ·God knew them before he made the world [L For those whom he foreknew…], ·and he chose them […he also predestined/chose beforehand] to be ·like [molded to the pattern of; conformed to the image of] his Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn [C the preeminent one, but also indicating others will follow] of many brothers and sisters [C Jesus’ resurrection confirms that his followers will also share in God’s glory]. 30 And those God ·chose to be like his Son [predestined; chose beforehand], he also called; and those he called, he also ·made right with him [declared righteous; justified]; and those he ·made right [declared righteous; justified], he also glorified [C both a past act in Christ, and a future transformation].

God’s Love in Christ Jesus

31 So what should we say ·about this [in response to these things]? If God is for us, ·no one can defeat us [L who is against us?]. 32 He did not spare his own Son but ·gave him [or delivered him over; C to death] for us all. So with Jesus, ·God will surely [how could he not…?] give us all things. 33 Who can ·accuse [bring an accusation/charge against] the people God has chosen? No one, because God is the One who ·makes them right [declares them righteous; justifies them]. 34 Who can ·say God’s people are guilty [condemn; pronounce punishment]? No one, because Christ Jesus died, but he was also raised from the dead, and now he is on God’s right ·side [hand; Ps. 110:1], ·appealing to God [interceding; pleading] for us. 35 ·Can anything [or Who can] separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can ·troubles [trials; tribulations] or ·problems [distress; hardship] or ·sufferings [persecution] or ·hunger [famine] or ·nakedness [destitution] or danger or ·violent death [L sword]? 36 As it is written in the Scriptures:

“For ·you [your sake] we are ·in danger of death [L being put to death] all the time.
    ·People think we are worth no more than [L We were considered like] sheep ·to be killed [about to be slaughtered; Ps. 44:22].”

37 But in all these things we are completely victorious through ·God [or Christ; L the One] who showed his love for us. 38 Yes, I am ·sure [convinced] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ·ruling spirits [or heavenly rulers; or demons; L rulers; T principalities], nothing ·now [in the present], nothing in the future, no ·powers [or spiritual powers/authorities], 39 ·nothing above us [or no powers in the sky], ·nothing below us [or nor powers in the depths], nor ·anything else in the whole world [any created thing] will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:1 guilty Some Greek copies continue, “those who do not live in the power of their sinful selves, but in the power of the Spirit.”
  2. Romans 8:2 you Some Greek copies read “me.”
  3. Romans 8:11 through Some Greek copies read “because of.”
  4. Romans 8:28 We … him. Some Greek copies read “We know that everything works together for good for those who love God.”
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Romains 8
La Bible du Semeur

Vivre conduits par l’Esprit

8 Maintenant donc, il n’y a plus de condamnation pour ceux qui sont unis à Jésus-Christ. 2 Car la loi de l’Esprit qui nous donne la vie dans l’union avec Jésus-Christ t’a libéré[a] de la loi du péché et de la mort.

3 Car ce que la Loi était incapable de faire, parce que l’état de l’homme la rendait impuissante, Dieu l’a fait : il a envoyé son propre Fils avec une nature semblable à celle des hommes pécheurs et, pour régler le problème du péché[b], il a exécuté sur cet homme la sanction qu’encourt le péché[c].

4 Il l’a fait pour que la juste exigence de la Loi soit pleinement satisfaite en ce qui nous concerne[d], nous qui vivons, non plus à la manière de l’homme livré à lui-même, mais dans la dépendance de l’Esprit.

5 En effet, les hommes livrés à eux-mêmes tendent vers ce qui est conforme à l’homme livré à lui-même. Mais ceux qui ont l’Esprit tendent vers ce qui est conforme à l’Esprit.

6 Car ce à quoi tend l’homme livré à lui-même mène à la mort, tandis que ce à quoi tend l’Esprit conduit à la vie et à la paix. 7 En effet, l’homme livré à lui-même, dans toutes ses tendances, n’est que haine de Dieu : il ne se soumet pas à la Loi de Dieu car il ne le peut même pas. 8 Les hommes livrés à eux-mêmes sont incapables de plaire à Dieu. 9 Vous, au contraire, vous n’êtes pas livrés à vous-mêmes, mais vous dépendez de l’Esprit, puisque l’Esprit de Dieu habite en vous. Si quelqu’un n’a pas l’Esprit de Christ, il ne lui appartient pas.

10 Or, si Christ est en vous, votre corps reste mortel à cause du péché, mais l’Esprit est source de vie[e], parce que vous avez été déclarés justes. 11 Et si l’Esprit de celui qui a ressuscité Jésus habite en vous, celui qui a ressuscité Christ rendra aussi la vie à votre corps mortel par son Esprit qui habite en vous.

12 Ainsi donc, frères et sœurs, si nous avons une obligation, ce n’est pas celle de vivre à la manière de l’homme livré à lui-même. 13 Car, si vous vivez à la manière de l’homme livré à lui-même, vous mourrez, mais si, par l’Esprit, vous faites mourir les actes mauvais que vous accomplissez dans votre corps, vous vivrez. 14 Car ceux qui sont conduits par l’Esprit de Dieu sont fils de Dieu.

15 En effet, vous n’avez pas reçu un Esprit qui fait de vous des esclaves et vous ramène à la crainte : non, vous avez reçu l’Esprit en conséquence de votre adoption[f] par Dieu comme ses fils et ses filles. Car c’est par cet Esprit que nous crions : Abba[g], c’est-à-dire Père !

16 L’Esprit Saint lui-même témoigne à notre esprit que nous sommes enfants de Dieu. 17 Et puisque nous sommes enfants, nous sommes aussi héritiers : héritiers de Dieu, et donc cohéritiers de Christ, puisque nous souffrons avec lui pour avoir part à sa gloire.

L’espérance au milieu des détresses présentes

18 J’estime d’ailleurs qu’il n’y a aucune commune mesure entre les souffrances de la vie présente et la gloire qui va se révéler en nous[h].

19 En effet, la création attend, avec un ardent désir, la révélation des fils de Dieu. 20 Car la création tout entière a été réduite à une condition bien dérisoire[i] ; cela ne s’est pas produit de son gré, mais à cause de celui qui l’y a soumise. Il lui a toutefois donné une espérance : 21 c’est que la création elle-même sera délivrée de l’esclavage, de la corruption pour accéder à la liberté que les enfants de Dieu connaîtront dans la gloire.

22 Nous le savons bien, en effet : jusqu’à présent la création tout entière est unie dans un profond gémissement et dans les douleurs d’un enfantement. 23 Elle n’est pas seule à gémir ; car nous aussi, qui avons reçu l’Esprit comme avant-goût de la gloire, nous gémissons du fond du cœur, en attendant d’être pleinement établis dans notre condition de fils adoptifs de Dieu quand notre corps sera délivré[j].

24 Car nous sommes sauvés, mais c’est en espérance ; or, voir ce que l’on espère, ce n’est plus espérer ; qui, en effet, continue à espérer ce qu’il voit ? 25 Mais si nous ne voyons pas ce que nous espérons, nous l’attendons avec persévérance. 26 De même, l’Esprit vient nous aider dans notre faiblesse. En effet, nous ne savons pas prier comme il faut[k], mais l’Esprit lui-même intercède en gémissant d’une manière inexprimable.

27 Et Dieu qui scrute les cœurs sait ce vers quoi tend l’Esprit, car c’est en accord avec Dieu qu’il intercède pour les membres du peuple saint. 28 Nous savons en outre que Dieu fait concourir toutes choses au bien de ceux qui l’aiment[l], de ceux qui ont été appelés conformément au plan divin. 29 En effet, ceux que Dieu a connus d’avance[m], il les a aussi destinés d’avance à devenir conformes à l’image de son Fils, afin que celui-ci soit l’aîné de nombreux frères et sœurs. 30 Ceux qu’il a ainsi destinés, il les a aussi appelés à lui ; ceux qu’il a ainsi appelés, il les a aussi déclarés justes, et ceux qu’il a déclarés justes, il leur a aussi donné sa gloire.

L’amour de Dieu : une assurance certaine

31 Que dire de plus ? Si Dieu est pour nous, qui se lèvera contre nous ? 32 Lui qui n’a même pas épargné son propre Fils, mais l’a livré pour nous tous, comment ne nous donnerait-il pas aussi tout avec lui ? 33 Qui accusera encore les élus de Dieu ? Dieu lui-même les déclare justes. 34 Qui les condamnera ? Christ est mort, bien plus : il est ressuscité ! Il est à la droite de Dieu et il intercède pour nous.

35 Qu’est-ce qui pourra nous arracher à l’amour de Christ ? La détresse ou l’angoisse, la persécution, la faim, la misère, le danger ou l’épée ? 36 Car il nous arrive ce que dit l’Ecriture :

A cause de toi, ╵nous sommes exposés à la mort ╵à longueur de jour.
On nous considère ╵comme des moutons ╵destinés à l’abattoir[n].

37 Mais dans tout cela nous sommes bien plus que vainqueurs par celui qui nous a aimés. 38 Oui, j’en ai l’absolue certitude : ni la mort ni la vie, ni les anges ni les dominations, ni le présent ni l’avenir, ni les puissances, 39 ni ce qui est en haut ni ce qui est en bas[o], ni aucune autre créature, rien ne pourra nous arracher à l’amour que Dieu nous a témoigné en Jésus-Christ notre Seigneur.

Footnotes

  1. 8.2 Certains manuscrits ont : m’a libéré et d’autres : nous a libérés.
  2. 8.3 Autre traduction : et il l’a offert en sacrifice pour le péché.
  3. 8.3 Autre traduction : il a ainsi condamné le péché qui est dans la nature humaine.
  4. 8.4 Autre traduction : en nous.
  5. 8.10 Autre traduction : mais votre esprit a reçu la vie.
  6. 8.15 L’adoption était courante chez les Grecs et les Romains. Les enfants adoptifs avaient les mêmes droits que les autres enfants – y compris le droit d’héritage (v. 23 ; Ga 4.5).
  7. 8.15 Mot araméen signifiant : cher père (voir Ga 4.6).
  8. 8.18 Autre traduction : pour nous.
  9. 8.20 Cette expression reprend le mot-clé de l’Ecclésiaste qui est rendu dans diverses traductions par : ce qui est vain, dérisoire, futile, éphémère, précaire, etc.
  10. 8.23 Certains manuscrits ont uniquement : nous gémissons du fond du cœur en attendant la pleine libération de notre corps.
  11. 8.26 Autre traduction : nous ne savons pas ce qu’il convient de prier.
  12. 8.28 Autre traduction : que toutes choses concourent ensemble au bien de ceux qui aiment Dieu. D’autres comprennent : que l’Esprit fait concourir toutes choses au bien de ceux qui aiment Dieu.
  13. 8.29 Autre traduction : choisis d’avance.
  14. 8.36 Ps 44.23.
  15. 8.39 Autre traduction : ni la hauteur, ni la profondeur (voir Ps 139.8).
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Romans 8
Easy-to-Read Version

Life in the Spirit

8 So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. 2 That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you[a] free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death. 3 The law was without power because it was made weak by our sinful selves. But God did what the law could not do: He sent his own Son to earth with the same human life that everyone else uses for sin. God sent him to be an offering to pay for sin. So God used a human life to destroy sin. 4 He did this so that we could be right just as the law said we must be. Now we don’t live following our sinful selves. We live following the Spirit.

5 People who live following their sinful selves think only about what they want. But those who live following the Spirit are thinking about what the Spirit wants them to do. 6 If your thinking is controlled by your sinful self, there is spiritual death. But if your thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace. 7 Why is this true? Because anyone whose thinking is controlled by their sinful self is against God. They refuse to obey God’s law. And really they are not able to obey it. 8 Those who are ruled by their sinful selves cannot please God.

9 But you are not ruled by your sinful selves. You are ruled by the Spirit, if that Spirit of God really lives in you. But whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. 10 Your body will always be dead because of sin. But if Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life, because Christ made you right with God. 11 God raised Jesus from death. And if God’s Spirit lives in you, he will also give life to your bodies that die. Yes, God is the one who raised Christ from death, and he will raise you to life through his Spirit living in you.

12 So, my brothers and sisters, we must not be ruled by our sinful selves. We must not live the way our sinful selves want. 13 If you use your lives to do what your sinful selves want, you will die spiritually. But if you use the Spirit’s help to stop doing the wrong things you do with your body, you will have true life.

14 The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. 15 The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children. And with that Spirit we cry out, “ Abba,[b] Father.” 16 And the Spirit himself speaks to our spirits and makes us sure that we are God’s children. 17 If we are God’s children, we will get the blessings God has for his people. He will give us all that he has given Christ. But we must suffer like Christ suffered. Then we will be able to share his glory.

We Will Have Glory in the Future

18 We have sufferings now, but these are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us. 19 Everything that God made is waiting with excitement for the time when he will show the world who his children are. The whole world wants very much for that to happen. 20 Everything God made was allowed to become like something that cannot fulfill its purpose. That was not its choice, but God made it happen with this hope in view: 21 That the creation would be made free from ruin—that everything God made would have the same freedom and glory that belong to God’s children.

22 We know that everything God made has been waiting until now in pain like a woman ready to give birth to a child. 23 Not only the world, but we also have been waiting with pain inside us. We have the Spirit as the first part of God’s promise. So we are waiting for God to finish making us his own children. I mean we are waiting for our bodies to be made free. 24 We were saved to have this hope. If we can see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. People don’t hope for something they already have. 25 But we are hoping for something we don’t have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently.

26 Also, the Spirit helps us. We are very weak, but the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We don’t know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself speaks to God for us. He begs God for us, speaking to him with feelings too deep for words. 27 God already knows our deepest thoughts. And he understands what the Spirit is saying, because the Spirit speaks for his people in the way that agrees with what God wants.

28 We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan. 29 God knew them before he made the world. And he decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. 30 God planned for them to be like his Son. He chose them and made them right with him. And after he made them right, he gave them his glory.

God’s Love in Christ Jesus

31 So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things. 33 Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one! God is the one who makes them right. 34 Who can say that God’s people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died for us, but that is not all. He was also raised from death. And now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from his love? 36 As the Scriptures say,

“For you we are in danger of death all the time.
    People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.” (A)

37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:2 you Some Greek copies have “me.” Also in the next sentence.
  2. Romans 8:15 Abba An Aramaic word that was used by Jewish children as a name for their fathers.
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