A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.

I consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us.  Indeed, all of creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God.  Creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but by the one who once subjected it; yet not without hope, because the world itself will be freed from its slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.  We know that from the beginning until now, the entire creation has been groaning in one great act of giving birth.  And not only creation, but all of us who possess the first fruits of the Spirit – we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.

The Word of God recorded in the letter of Paul to the Romans.