Hebrews 11:2-38

ABU^{(i) 2} For in this the elders obtained a good report. ³ Through faith we perceive that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not arisen out of things which appear. ⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he received testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it, being dead, he yet speaks. ⁵ By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him; for before his translation, he has had the 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 to those who seek after him. ⁷ By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. ⁸ By faith Abraham when called obeyed, to go forth into a place which he should afterward receive for an inheritance, and went forth, not knowing whither he went. ⁹ By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received power to conceive seed, even when she was past age, because she accounted him faithful who had promised. ¹² Wherefore also there sprang from one, and him become as dead, even as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. ¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar, and greeted them, and professed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. ¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly, that they are seeking a country. ¹⁵ And if indeed, they had in mind that from which they came out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he prepared for them a city. ¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when tried, has offered up Isaac; and he who had accepted the promises offered up his only begotten, ¹⁸ of whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called; ¹⁹ accounting that God is able even to raise from the dead; whence he also received him back in a figure. ²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come. ²¹ By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and he worshiped, [leaning] on the top of his staff. ²² By faith Joseph, when dying, made mention of the departure of the sons of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones. ²³ By faith Moses, when born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was fair; and they feared not the king's commandment. ²⁴ By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called son of a daughter of Pharaoh; ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked for the reward. ²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. ²⁸ Through faith he has kept the passover, and the affusion of the blood, that he who destroyed the first-born might not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land; which the Egyptians attempting were swallowed up. ³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after they had been encompassed during seven days. ³¹ By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who believed not, after having received the spies with peace. ³² And why say I more? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, of Barak and Samson and Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets; ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead, by resurrection to life; and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ And others had trial of mockings, and scourgings, and, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword; they went about in sheep-skins and goats' skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the clefts of the earth.