First ReadingRomans 8:18-25
From the Letter of Paul to the Romans
18For I considerthat the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glorywhich will be revealed toward us.19For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.20For the creation was subjected to vanity,not of its own will,but because of him who subjected it, in hope21that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.22For we know that the whole creation groansand travails in pain together until now.23Not only so, but ourselves also,who have the first fruits of the Spirit,even we ourselves groan within ourselves,waiting for adoption,the redemption of our body.24For we were saved in hope,but hope that is seen is not hope.For who hopes for that which he sees?25But if we hope for that which we don’t see,we wait for it with patience.