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)

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit^(AB) himself intercedes for us^(AC) through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts^(AD) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes^(AE) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good^(AF) of those who love him, who^[d] have been called^(AG) according to his purpose.^{(AH) 29} For those God foreknew^(AI) he also predestined^(AJ) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(AK) that he might be the firstborn^(AL) among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined,^(AM) he also called;^(AN) those he called, he also justified;^(AO) those he justified, he also glorified.^(AP)

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things?^(AQ) If God is for us,^(AR) who can be against us?^{(AS) 32} He who did not spare his own Son,^(AT) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge^(AU) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns?^(AV) No one. Christ Jesus who died^(AW)—more than that, who was raised to life^(AX)—is at the right hand of God^(AY) and is also interceding for us.^{(AZ) 35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(BA) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^{(BB) 36} As it is written:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(BD) through him who loved us.^{(BE) 38} For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[f] neither the present nor the future,^(BF) nor any powers,^{(BG) 39} neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God^(BH) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(BI)

The Parable of the Lost Son

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.^{(A) 12} The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’^(B) So he divided his property^(C) between them.

¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth^(D) in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.^{(E) 16} He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned^(F) against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.^(G)

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.^(H) I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe^(I) and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger^(J) and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;^(K) he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.^(L)

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

²⁸ “The older brother became angry^(M) and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property^(N) with prostitutes^(O) comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”^(P)