This is from the King James Version because it does not easily lose the personal dimension when read, although it is the same in essence as the New King James.
Romans 8:18-25
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why yet he doth hope for? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
James 1:18
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Zechariah 2:5-9 Orthodox Study Bible, trans. from the Septuagint (LXX)
And I looked up, and behold, a man, and in his hand was a measuring line. And I said to him, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem to see its width and its length." And behold, the angel who was speaking to me stood up, and another angel went to meet him. And he spoke to him, saying, "Run and speak to that young man saying,'Jerusalem shall be fruitfully inhabited by reason of the multitude of men and livestock in the midst of her. And I will be for her a wall of fire all around.' says the Lord, 'and I will be in glory in the midst of her,' says the Lord."
Orthodox Prayer for & with our Fellow Creatures
Speak a word to me, Father.