Hebrews 11
By Faith
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of athings not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by athe word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of bthings that are visible.
4 By faith aAbel offered to God ba more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And cthrough his faith, though he died, he dstill speaks. 5 By faith aEnoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God amust believe that he exists and athat he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith aNoah, being warned by God concerning bevents as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of cthe righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith aAbraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place bthat he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in athe land of promise, as in a foreign land, bliving in tents cwith Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to athe city that has bfoundations, cwhose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith aSarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered bhim faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and ahim as good as dead, were born descendants bas many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, anot having received the things promised, but bhaving seen them and greeted them from afar, and chaving acknowledged that they were dstrangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, athey would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed ato be called their God, for bhe has prepared for them a city.
17 By faith aAbraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, a“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 aHe considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith aIsaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith aJacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bbowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith aJoseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
23 By faith aMoses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of bthe king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, arefused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 achoosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy bthe fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 aHe considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to bthe reward. 27 By faith he aleft Egypt, bnot being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured cas seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith ahe kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
29 By faith athe people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith athe walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith aRahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she bhad given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of aGideon, bBarak, cSamson, dJephthah, of eDavid and fSamuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, astopped the mouths of lions, 34 aquenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, bbecame mighty in war, bput foreign armies to flight. 35 aWomen received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even achains and imprisonment. 37 aThey were stoned, they were sawn in two, bthey were killed with the sword. cThey went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—awandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, athough commended through their faith, adid not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, athat apart from us they should not be made perfect.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.