Hebrews 11

TKJU^{(i) 1} Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good report. ³ Through 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. ⁴ By faith Abel offered to 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 still speaks. ⁵ By 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. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him: For he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. ⁷ By faith Noah, being warned by God of 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 by faith. ⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out into a place which he should afterwards receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By 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: ¹⁰ And he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ¹¹ Through faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore even from just one man, and him as good as dead, were born so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. ¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them far off, and were persuaded by them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. ¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: For He has prepared a city for them. ¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: And he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸ of whom it was said, "In Isaac shall your seed be called": ¹⁹ Concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from where he also received him in parable form. ²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. ²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both of the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff. ²² By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commands concerning his bones. ²³ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. ²⁴ By faith Moses, 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 pleasures of sin for a season; ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: For he had respect for the recompense of 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 kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. ²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: Which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned. ³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed around seven days. ³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those that did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. ³² And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthah; also of David, and Samuel, and the prophets: ³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: ³⁶ And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of chains and imprisonment: ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn into parts, 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. ³⁹ And all these, having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive the promise: ⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us.