Hebrews 11
1Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are
seen were not made of things which do appear.
4By
faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God
testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5By
faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his
translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder
of them that diligently seek him.
7By faith
Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which
he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance,
obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9By
faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs
with him of the same promise:
10For he looked
for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child
when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude,
and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13These
all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced
them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they
came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16But
now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared
for them a city.
17By faith Abraham, when
he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from
whence also he received him in a figure.
20By
faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21By
faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children
of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23By
faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were
not afraid of the king's commandment.
24By
faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for
a season;
26Esteeming the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he
endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28Through
faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians
assaying to do were drowned.
30By faith the
walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies
with peace.
32And what shall I more say? for
the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of
the prophets:
33Who through faith subdued
kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed
valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35Women
received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection:
36And others had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered
about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves
of the earth.
39And these all, having obtained
a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40God
having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.