And not onlythis, but alsowe ourselves,havingthe first fruitsof the Spirit,evenwe ourselvesgroanwithinourselves,waiting eagerlyfor [our] adoption as sons,the redemptionof our body.
As soon as the orderspread,the sonsof Israelprovidedin abundancethe firstfruitsof grain,newwine,oil,honeyand of allthe produceof the field;and they broughtin abundantlythe titheof all.
for they cannotevendieanymore,becausethey are like angels,and are sonsof God,beingsonsof the resurrection.
"But when these thingsbeginto take place,straightenup and liftup your heads,becauseyour redemptionis drawing near."
And not onlythis, but we alsoexultin Godthroughour LordJesusChrist,throughwhomwe have nowreceivedthe reconciliation.
And not onlythis, but we alsoexultin our tribulations,knowingthat tribulationbrings aboutperseverance;
and hopedoes not disappoint,becausethe loveof Godhas been pouredout withinour heartsthroughthe HolySpiritwho was givento us.
Wretchedmanthat I am! Whowill set me freefrom the bodyof thisdeath?
For the anxious longingof the creationwaits eagerlyfor the revealingof the sonsof God.
sothat you are not lackingin anygift,awaiting eagerlythe revelationof our LordJesusChrist,
who alsosealedus and gave[us] the Spiritin our heartsas a pledge.
For evenwhen we cameinto Macedoniaour fleshhadnorest,but we were afflictedon everyside: conflictswithout,fearswithin.
For we through the Spirit,by faith,are waitingfor the hopeof righteousness.
whois given as a pledgeof our inheritance,with a viewto the redemptionof [God's own] possession,to the praiseof His glory.
Do not grievethe HolySpiritof God,by whomyou were sealedfor the dayof redemption.
(for the fruitof the Light[consists] in allgoodnessand righteousnessand truth),
in the futurethere is laidup for me the crownof righteousness,whichthe Lord,the righteousJudge,will awardto me on that day;and not onlyto me, but alsoto allwho have lovedHis appearing.
lookingfor the blessedhopeand the appearingof the gloryof our greatGodand Savior,ChristJesus,
soChristalso,having been offeredonceto bearthe sinsof many,will appeara second timefor salvationwithout[reference to] sin,to thosewho eagerly awaitHim.
sothat the proofof your faith,[being] more preciousthan goldwhich is perishable,even thoughtestedby fire,may be foundto resultin praiseand gloryand honorat the revelationof JesusChrist;
Beloved,nowwe are childrenof God,and it has not appearedas yetwhatwe will be. We knowthat whenHe appears,we will be likeHim, becausewe will seeHim justas He is.
