Romans 8:22-24

Expanded Bible

²² We know that ·everything God made [all creation] has been ·waiting until now in pain, like a woman ready to give birth [^Lgroaning with labor pains until now]. ²³ Not only the world, but we also ·have been waiting with pain inside us [^Lgroan within ourselves]. We have the Spirit as the ·first part of God’s promise [^Lfirstfruits; ^Cas the first crops confirmed the future harvest, so the Spirit’s presence confirms believers’ final salvation]. So we are [eagerly] waiting for ·God to finish making us his own children [^Lour adoption], which means ·our bodies will be made free [^Lthe redemption of our bodies]. ²⁴ We were saved, ·and we have this hope [or …by this hope; ^Lin hope]. If we see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. ·People do not hope [^LFor who hopes…?] for something they already have.