FROM GROANS TO GLORY

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparingt with the gloryu that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipationv for God’s sonsw to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjectedx to futilityy—not willingly, but because of him who subjected itz—in the hope 21 that the creation itselfaa 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 painsab until now. 23 Not only that,ac but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruitsad—we also groan within ourselves,ae eagerly waiting for adoption,af the redemption of our bodies.ag