Hebrews 11:1-40
11 But faith is of things hoped for a confidence, Of facts a conviction when they are not seen;
2 For thereby well-attested were the ancients.
3 By faith we understand the ages to have been fitted together by declaration of God,—To the end that not out of things appearing should that which is seen have come into existence.
4 By faith a fuller sacrifice did Abel offer unto God than Cain,—Through which he received witness that he was righteous, There being a witnessing upon his gifts by God; And through it though he died he yet is speaking.
5 By faith Enoch was translated so as not to see death, And was not found because that God had translated him; For before the translation he had received witness that he had become well-pleasing unto God;—
6 But apart from faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing; For he that approacheth unto God—Must needs have faith that he is, And that to them who seek him out a rewarder he becometh.
7 By faith Noah having received intimation concerning the things not yet seen Filled with reverence prepared an ark to the saving of his house—Through which he condemned the world, And of the righteousness by way of faith became heir.
8 By faith being called Abraham obeyed—To come forth into a place he was destined to receive for an inheritance; And he came forth not well knowing whither he was coming.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as a foreign land, In tents dwelling Along with Isaac and Jacob, the joint-heirs of the same promise;
10 For he was awaiting the city having foundations, Whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah herself received power for founding a seed, Even beyond the season of life’s prime,—Seeing that faithful she reckoned him that had promised;
12 Wherefore even from one were born, And as to these things one who had become dead,—Like the stars of the heaven for multitude, And as the sand that is by the lip of the sea that cannot be numbered.
13 In faith all these died—Not bearing away the promises, But from afar beholding and saluting them And confessing that strangers and sojourners were they upon the land.
14 For they who such things as these are saying Make it clear that of a paternal home they are in quest;
15 And if indeed of that they had been mindful from which they had come out They might in that case have had an opportunity to return;
16 But now after a better one are they reaching, That is a heavenly; Wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be invoked as their God,—For he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham when tested offered up Isaac, And the only-begotten would he have offered up who the promises had accepted,—
18 Even him of whom it had been said—In Isaac shall there be called to thee a seed:
19 Accounting that even from among the dead God was able to raise [him],—Whence even in similitude he bare him away.
20 By faith even concerning things to come did Isaac bless Jacob and Esau.
21 By faith Jacob when about to die Blessed each of the sons of Joseph; And bowed in worship on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph when drawing to his end—Concerning the exodus of the sons of Israel called to remembrance, And concerning his bones gave commandment.
23 By faith Moses when born—Was hid three months by his parents, Because they saw that goodly was the child And were not affrighted at the decree of the king.
24 By faith Moses when grown up—Refused to be called the son of a daughter of a Pharaoh,
25 Rather choosing—To be jointly suffering ill-treatment with the people of God Than for a season to be having sins enjoyment;
26 Accounting—As greater riches than Egypt’s treasures The reproach of the Anointed One; For he was looking away unto the recompense.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt—Not put in fear of the wrath of the king; For as seeing him who cannot be seen he persevered.
28 By faith he hath kept the passover and the besmearing of the blood, Lest he that was destroying the first-born should be touching them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as over dry land,—Which the Egyptians seizing an attempt to do were swallowed up.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, Having been surrounded for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them who refused to yield, She having welcomed the spies with peace.
32 And what more can I say? For time will fail me while I go on telling—Concerning Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthah, David also and Samuel, and the prophets,—
33 Who through faith—Prevailed in contest over kingdoms, Wrought righteousness, Attained unto promises, Shut the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the power of fire, Escaped the mouths of the sword, Were made powerful from weakness, Became mighty in battle, Overturned camps of aliens;
35 Women received by resurrection their dead; But others were put to the rack Not accepting redemption, That unto a better resurrection they might attain:
36 Others again of mockings and scourgings received trial, Nay! further of bonds and imprisonments:
37 They were stoned, were pierced through, were sawn asunder, By murder with a sword died, Went about in sheep-skins, in goat-hides,—Being in want, suffering tribulation, enduring ill-treatment:
38 Of whom the world was not worthy—Upon deserts wandering and mountains, and in caves,—and in the caverns of the earth.
39 And these all though they obtained witness through their faith Yet bare not away the promise:
40 God for us something better providing,—That not apart from us should they be made perfect.