Old/New Testament

²² We know that the whole world has been crying. It has had much pain until now.

²³ And not the world only, but we ourselves also cry out. We have the first blessing God gives of his Spirit. But we cry out in our hearts. We are waiting for God to finish making us his sons. Then our bodies will be set free.

²⁴ That is what we hoped for when we were saved. When the thing hoped for is seen, there is no more hoping. When a person sees a thing, how can he hope for it?

²⁵ But if we hope for something we do not see, we keep on waiting for it.

²⁶ Also the Spirit helps us because we are weak. We do not know how we should talk to God. But the Spirit himself talks to God for us, while we cry and cannot say any words.

²⁷ God looks to see what is in people's hearts. And he knows what the Spirit is going to do. The Spirit talks to God for God's people. And he asks for them what God wants them to have.

²⁸ We know that God works out everything for the good of those who love him. They are the people who are part of his plan.

²⁹ He knew all along that he would choose them. He chose them to be made like his Son. Then his Son would be the first one of many brothers.

³⁰ He chose them and he also called them. He called them to himself as if they had never been bad people. He made them right with himself and he also made them great in heaven.

³¹ So what shall we say about this? If God is on our side, who can be against us?

³² He did not keep his own Son, but gave him up for us all. Because he has given him to us, will he not also give us all other things?

³³ Who will say anything against God's chosen people? For it is God himself who says they have been put right with him.

³⁴ Who will say they are not right? Jesus Christ died. Yes, he was raised from death. He is at the right side of God. And he talks to God for us.

³⁵ Who can take us away from Christ's love? We may have trouble. We may have hard times. People may make us suffer because we believe. We may have no food to eat and no clothes to wear. We may be in danger. We may be killed with big knives. Can any of these things take us away from Christ's love?

³⁶ The holy writings say, `For your sake we are killed all day. We are like sheep ready to be killed.'

³⁷ But Christ loved us. He has helped us to win great victory in all these things.

³⁹ I know this. Death, life, angels, rulers, things happening now, things that will happen, high things, low things; nothing else in all the world can come between us and God's love in Christ Jesus our Lord.