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 24 Now in this hopeah we were saved, but hopeai that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see,aj we eagerly wait for it with patience.

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should,ak but the Spirit himself intercedes for usE,al with inexpressible groanings. 27 And he who searches our heartsam knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.