Hebrews 11
By Faith We Understand
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence aof things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that athe worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Faith at the Dawn of History
4 By faith aAbel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still bspeaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, a“and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith aNoah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, bprepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of cthe righteousness which is according to faith.
Faithful Abraham
8 By faith aAbraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, adwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, bthe heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for athe city which has foundations, bwhose builder and maker is God.
11 By faith aSarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and bshe bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him cfaithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as adead, were born as many as the bstars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
The Heavenly Hope
13 These all died in faith, anot having received the bpromises, but chaving seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and dconfessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things adeclare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind athat country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed ato be called their God, for He has bprepared a city for them.
The Faith of the Patriarchs
17 By faith Abraham, awhen he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, a“In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God awas able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
20 By faith aIsaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, ablessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith aJoseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
The Faith of Moses
23 By faith aMoses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s bcommand.
24 By faith aMoses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming athe reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the breward.
27 By faith ahe forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith ahe kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith athey passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
By Faith They Overcame
30 By faith athe walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith athe harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when bshe had received the spies with peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of aGideon and bBarak and cSamson and dJephthah, also of eDavid and fSamuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, astopped the mouths of lions, 34 aquenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 aWomen received their dead raised to life again.
Others were btortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and aof chains and imprisonment. 37 aThey were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. bThey wandered about cin sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, ain dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, ahaving obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be amade perfect apart from us.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
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