¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.^{(A) 13} For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;^(B) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,^(C) you will live.^(D)

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God^(E) are the children of God.^{(F) 15} The Spirit^(G) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;^(H) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father.”^{(I) 16} The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit^(J) that we are God’s children.^{(K) 17} Now if we are children, then we are heirs^(L)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings^(M) in order that we may also share in his glory.^(N)

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.^{(O) 19} For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God^(P) 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,^(Q) in hope ²¹ that^[c] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay^(R) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.^(S)

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning^(T) 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,^(U) groan^(V) inwardly as we wait eagerly^(W) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.^{(X) 24} For in this hope we were saved.^(Y) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.^(Z) Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.^(AA)

Paul’s Anguish Over Israel

9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying,^(A) my conscience confirms^(B) it through the Holy Spirit— ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself^(C) were cursed^(D) and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people,^(E) those of my own race,^{(F) 4} the people of Israel.^(G) Theirs is the adoption to sonship;^(H) theirs the divine glory,^(I) the covenants,^(J) the receiving of the law,^(K) the temple worship^(L) and the promises.^{(M) 5} Theirs are the patriarchs,^(N) and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah,^(O) who is God over all,^(P) forever praised!^[a](Q) Amen.

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(A) under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world.^{(B) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(C) God sent his Son,^(D) born of a woman,^(E) born under the law,^{(F) 5} to redeem^(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(H) to sonship.^{[b](I) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(J) into our hearts,^(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[c] Father.”^{(L) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(M)

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(A) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms^(B) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us^(C) in him before the creation of the world^(D) to be holy and blameless^(E) in his sight. In love^{(F) 5} he^[a] predestined^(G) us for adoption to sonship^[b](H) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure^(I) and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace,^(J) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.^{(K) 7} In him we have redemption^(L) through his blood,^(M) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches^(N) of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[c] made known to us the mystery^(O) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed^(P) in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment^(Q)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.^(R)