⁴ These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins.^(A) They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.^(B) They were purchased from among mankind^(C) and offered as firstfruits^(D) to God and the Lamb.

¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God^(A) 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,^(B) in hope ²¹ that^[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay^(C) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.^(D)

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning^(E) 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,^(F) groan^(G) inwardly as we wait eagerly^(H) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.^(I)