ROM 8:26 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Now in the same way, the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For the thing for which we should pray as we ought, we do not know, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groans.

UST The Holy Spirit similarly also assists us because we are weak. This is because we are not aware for what we should pray. However, the Holy Spirit personally pleads on our behalf by groaning without speaking words.

BSB In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes [for us] with groans too deep for words.

MSB In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses.[fn] For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us[fn] with groans too deep for words.

8:26 CT weakness

8:26 CT literal does not include for us.

BLB Now likewise also, the Spirit joins to help us in weakness; for we do not know the things which we should pray for as it behooves, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession with inexpressible groanings.

AICNT Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes [[for us]][fn] with inexpressible groanings;

8:26, for us: Some manuscripts include. C(04) BYZ TR

OEB So, also, the Spirit supports us in our weakness. We do not even know how to pray as we should; but the Spirit himself pleads for us in sighs that can find no utterance.

CSB In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

NLT And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

NIV In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

CEV In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.

ESV Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

NASB In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

LSB And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

2DT Similarly also the Spirit assists in our weakness: For we don’t know what is necessary for us to pray for? But the Spirit itself—super-aiding with wordless groanings.

WEBBE In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.

WMBB (Same as above)

MSG ^(26-28)Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

NET In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

LSV And in like manner also, the Spirit helps our weaknesses; for what we may pray for, as it is necessary, we have not known, but [this] One—the Spirit—makes intercession for us with unutterable groanings,

FBV Similarly the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We don't know how to speak with God, but the Spirit himself intercedes with and through us by groans that can't be put into words.

TCNT In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our [fn]weaknesses. For we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes [fn]for us with inexpressible groanings.

8:26 weaknesses 91.3% ¦ weakness CT 4.9%

8:26 for us ¦ — CT

T4T Similarly, in addition to our continuing to wait for what God will give us, God’s Spirit helps us when our spirits feel weak. We do not know what is proper/necessary for us to pray. But God’s Spirit knows, and he prays for us when we groan (OR, he groans) in a way that cannot be expressed in words (OR, prays with us, groaning in a way that cannot be expressed in words).

LEB And likewise also, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as one ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unexpressed groanings.

NRSV Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

NKJV Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

NAB In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.

BBE And in the same way the Spirit is a help to our feeble hearts: for we are not able to make prayer to God in the right way; but the Spirit puts our desires into words which are not in our power to say;

Moff So too the Spirit assists us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray aright, but the Spirit pleads for us with sighs that are beyond words,

Wymth In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know what prayers to offer nor in what way to offer them. But the Spirit Himself pleads for us in yearnings that can find no words,

ASV And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;

DRA Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings.

YLT And, in like manner also, the Spirit doth help our weaknesses; for, what we may pray for, as it behoveth [us], we have not known, but the Spirit himself doth make intercession for us with groanings unutterable,

Drby And in like manner the Spirit joins also its help to our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as is fitting, but the Spirit itself makes intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered.

RV And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;
(And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth/helps our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh/makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; )

SLT And likewise also the Spirit takes hold together, and assists our weaknesses: for what we would pray for as we ought, we know not, but the Spirit itself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

Wbstr Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

KJB-1769 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
(Likewise the Spirit also helpeth/helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh/makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. )

KJB-1611 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what wee should pray for as wee ought: but the spirit it selfe maketh intercession for vs with groanings, which cannot bee vttered.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps Lykewyse, the spirite also helpeth our infirmities. For we knowe not what to desire as we ought: but ye spirite maketh great intercession for vs, with gronynges, which can not be expressed.
(Likewise, the spirit also helpeth/helps our infirmities. For we know not what to desire as we ought: but ye/you_all spirit maketh/makes great intercession for us, with groanings, which cannot be expressed.)

Gnva Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we knowe not what to pray as wee ought: but the Spirit it selfe maketh request for vs with sighs, which cannot be expressed.
(Likewise the Spirit also helpeth/helps our infirmities: for we know not what to pray as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh/makes request for us with sighs, which cannot be expressed. )

Cvdl Likewyse the sprete also helpeth oure weaknesse: for we knowe not what we shulde desyre as we oughte: neuertheles ye sprete it selfe maketh intercession mightely for vs with vnoutspeakable gronynges.
(Likewise the spirit also helpeth/helps our weakness: for we know not what we should desire as we oughte: nevertheless ye/you_all spirit itself maketh/makes intercession mightely for us with unoutspeakable groanings.)

TNT Lyke wyse the sprite also helpeth oure infirmities. For we knowe not what to desyre as we ought: but the sprete maketh intercession mightely for vs with gronynges which cannot be expressid with tonge.
(Like wise the sprite also helpeth/helps our infirmities. For we know not what to desire as we ought: but the spirit maketh/makes intercession mightely for us with groanings which cannot be expressed with tongue. )

Wycl And also the spirit helpith oure infirmyte; for what we schulen preie, as it bihoueth, we witen not, but the ilke spirit axith for vs with sorewyngis, that moun not be teld out.
(And also the spirit helpeth/helps our infirmyte; for what we should preie, as it behoves, we perceive not, but the ilke spirit axith for us with sorewyngis, that may/can not be told out.)

Luth Desselbigengleichen auch der Geist hilft unserer Schwachheit auf. Denn wir wissen nicht, was wir beten sollen, wie sich‘s gebühret, sondern der Geist selbst vertritt uns aufs beste mit unaussprechlichem Seufzen.
(Desselbigengleichen also the/of_the spirit help(v) ours weakness on/in/to. Because we/us realise not, what/which we/us pray should, as/like itself due, rather the/of_the spirit himself/itself vertritt us/to_us/ourselves onto best/prime with unaussprechlichem sigh.)

ClVg Similiter autem et Spiritus adjuvat infirmitatem nostram: nam quid oremus, sicut oportet, nescimus: sed ipse Spiritus postulat pro nobis gemitibus inenarrabilibus.[fn]
(Similarly/Likewise however and Spirit adyuvat weakness ours: for/surely what vocallymus, like it_is_necessary, nescimus: but exactly_that/himself Spirit demands for us gemitibus inenarrabilibus. )

8.26 Inenarrabilibus. Quommodo enim enarraretur, quando desideratur, quod ignoratur? Non tamen omnino ignoratur. Nam si penitus ignoraretur, non desideraretur. Et rursus si videretur, gemitibus non quæreretur. Scrutatur. AMBR. Non quasi quærens quod nesciat cui nihil est occultum, cuique nota est precatio omnium spirituum.

8.26 Inenarrabilibus. Quommodo because enarraretur, when desiresur, that he/she_doesn't_knowur? Not/No nevertheless completely he/she_doesn't_knowur. For/Surely when/but_if completely to_ignoretur, not/no desideraretur. And again when/but_if it_would_seem, gemitibus not/no to_seek/search_fortur. Scrutatur. AMBR. Not/No as_if seeking that nesciat to_whom nothing it_is hidden, cuique note it_is precatio of_all of_spirits.

UGNT ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ἡμῶν; τὸ γὰρ τί προσευξώμεθα καθὸ δεῖ, οὐκ οἴδαμεν, ἀλλὰ αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα ὑπερεντυγχάνει στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις.
(hōsautōs de kai to Pneuma sunantilambanetai taʸ astheneia haʸmōn; to gar ti proseuxōmetha katho dei, ouk oidamen, alla auto to Pneuma huperentugⱪanei stenagmois alalaʸtois.)

SBL-GNT Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται ⸂τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ⸃ ἡμῶν· τὸ γὰρ τί ⸀προσευξώμεθα καθὸ δεῖ οὐκ οἴδαμεν, ἀλλὰ αὐτὸ τὸ πνεῦμα ⸀ὑπερεντυγχάνει στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις,
(Hōsautōs de kai to pneuma sunantilambanetai ⸂taʸ astheneia⸃ haʸmōn; to gar ti ⸀proseuxōmetha katho dei ouk oidamen, alla auto to pneuma ⸀huperentugⱪanei stenagmois alalaʸtois,)

RP-GNT Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν· τὸ γὰρ τί προσευξόμεθα καθὸ δεῖ, οὐκ οἴδαμεν, ἀλλ' αὐτὸ τὸ πνεῦμα ὑπερεντυγχάνει ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις·
(Hōsautōs de kai to pneuma sunantilambanetai tais astheneiais haʸmōn; to gar ti proseuxometha katho dei, ouk oidamen, all' auto to pneuma huperentugⱪanei huper haʸmōn stenagmois alalaʸtois;)

TC-GNT Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται [fn]ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν· τὸ γὰρ τί [fn]προσευξόμεθα καθὸ δεῖ, οὐκ οἴδαμεν, [fn]ἀλλ᾽ αὐτὸ τὸ πνεῦμα ὑπερεντυγχάνει [fn]ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις·
(Hōsautōs de kai to pneuma sunantilambanetai tais astheneiais haʸmōn; to gar ti proseuxometha katho dei, ouk oidamen, all auto to pneuma huperentugⱪanei huper haʸmōn stenagmois alalaʸtois; )

8:26 ταις ασθενειαις 91.3% ¦ τη ασθενεια CT 4.9%

8:26 προσευξομεθα ¦ προσευξωμεθα CT TR

8:26 αλλ ¦ αλλα NA²⁷ SBL TH WH

8:26 υπερ ημων ¦ — CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 8:18–30: God promises to us help today and glory later

In this section Paul said that the things that cause us suffering are only small compared to the glory that God will give us in the future, renewed world. The created world waits for God to reveal us, his adopted children, in our new bodies, because he will also renew the created world at that time. We and the created world groan waiting for that renewal. Paul then described what hope is.

The Holy Spirit helps us where we are weak. He also helps us to pray and intercedes for us. God causes all things to work for our good. He chose us to become like Jesus in word and deed, and become like him like a brother is like his brother. He chose us before the creation of the world, called us, made us righteous, and has glorified us.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

We wait for God to give glory to us

Later we will be together with God in his glory

The Holy Spirit helps us today and God will glorify us in the future

8:26a

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

¶ In the same way, the Spirit also helps/aids us^(incl) when we are weak,
¶ Similarly, the Holy Spirit also helps/assists us when we do not stand strong in our faith/life.

In the same way: It is not clear what this phrase connects to. Some scholars connect it to our waiting with patience/endurance in 8:25,for example, Jewett (page 521). some connect it to our hope in 8:24–25,for example, Moo (on TW). some connect it to our groaning in 8:23,for example, Cranfield (page 420–421). and some connect it to the Spirit testifying in 8:16.for example, Kruse (page 351). You should translate this word without saying what it connects to. Here is another way to translate this:

Likewise (ESV)

There is another Greek word after this word, that in this case probably means “also.” For example:

In the same way, the Spirit too (NABRE)

the Spirit: This refers to the Holy Spirit here. In some languages it would be more clear to translate this phrase as you usually translate the phrase “the Holy Spirit.”

helps: This word refers to assisting in a task. Here is another way to translate this word:

aids

in our weakness: This refers to a lack of strength in our thoughts, deeds, and inner beings regarding our life of faith in Jesus. It does not refer to physical weakness. For example:

when our (incl) trusting in God is weakYakan Back Translation on TW.

Some languages must use a word other than weakness here. For example:

when we do not stand strong

when we are inadequate

8:26b

For we do not know how we ought to pray,

because we do not know what things we should pray as is fitting/proper for us to pray for,
For we do not know like we should what to pray to God.

For: This word here introduces a reasonLenski (page 545) and possibly Nicoll (page 651). or an explanation.Morris (on TW) and Alford (page 396) say it introduces an example, but this seems less likely. Translate this connection with either of those meanings. For example:

because (GW)

how we ought to pray: This phrase refers to what things we should pray. For example, I may be experiencing persecution, and the Holy Spirit takes what I pray in that regard and intercedes for me. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the things we should pray for

the things we should pray

how we ought: The Greek is more literally “as is necessary” or “as is fitting/proper.” We do not know every need and we sometimes do not know what best to pray for the needs we know of. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

properly (NJB)

as we should (NASB)

8:26c

but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us

but the Spirit himself speaks to God about our prayers
But the Holy Spirit talks to God on our behalf regarding what we pray for

intercedes for us: The word intercedes refers to speaking to someone on behalf of someone else. Here the Holy Spirit speaks to God on our behalf when we pray. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

speaks to God on our behalf

speaks-with God for usKankanaey Back Translation on TW.

8:26d

with groans too deep for words.

with groans that words cannot express/explain the meaning of them.
with groans of deep/strong feelings that we^(incl) cannot say/speak in words.

groans too deep for words: This phrase indicates that the groans cannot be expressed or translated into words. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

groans that words cannot express (NIV)

deep feelings that words cannot explain (NCV)

crying-out that is beyond the ability of human languageUma Back Translation on TW.

groans: This word usually refers to low-pitched, wordless sound that indicates suffering, pain, or grief. The Holy Spirit feels our suffering, pain, and grief, and then speaks to God with those feelings. See the above examples.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

συναντιλαμβάνεται & ὑπερεντυγχάνει

˓is˒_helping & ˓is˒_interceding

Paul is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: [helps us … intercedes for us]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ἡμῶν

˱with˲_the weakness ˱of˲_us

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of weakness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [in our weak condition]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὡσαύτως Δέ καί τό Πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ἡμῶν τό γάρ τί προσευξώμεθα καθό δεῖ οὐκ οἴδαμεν ἀλλʼ αὐτό τό Πνεῦμα ὑπερεντυγχάνει στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις)

For indicates that what follows this word explains what came before it. For here indicates that what follows is the reason why the previous statement is true. Use a natural way in your language for indicating a reason. Alternate translation: [This is true since]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

τὸ γὰρ τί προσευξώμεθα καθὸ δεῖ, οὐκ οἴδαμεν

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: [For we do not know the thing for which we should pray as we ought]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / rpronouns

αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα

Paul uses the word himself here to emphasize that Holy Spirit helps Christians. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this emphasis. Alternate translation: [the very Spirit]

στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις

˱with˲_groanings inexpressible

Alternate translation: [with groanings that we cannot express in words]

Parallel ROM 8:26

Section 8:18–30: God promises to us help today and glory later

8:26a

8:26b

8:26c

8:26d