By Faith

1Now faith is the [†]assurance of things [†]hoped for, the [†]conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the [†]men of old [†]gained approval.

3By faith we understand that the [†]worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was approved as being righteous—God approving [†]his gifts—and through [†]faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for prior to being taken up, he was approved as being pleasing to God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who draws near to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, [†]in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

8By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed [†]by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise, 10for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith even Sarah herself [†]received [†]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she regarded Him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore there were born even of one man, and him as good as dead [†]at that, as many AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.

13All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15And indeed if they had been remembering that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But now, they aspire to a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not [†]ashamed to be called their God, for He prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only son, 18to whom it was said, “IN ISAAC YOUR SEED SHALL BE CALLED.” 19[†]He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which, [†]figuratively speaking, he also received him back. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and WORSHIPED, leaning ON THE TOP OF HIS STAFF. 22By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave commands concerning his bones.

23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26regarding the reproach of [†]Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the rage of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. 28By faith he [†]kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land, and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were [†]drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after welcoming the spies [†]in peace.

32And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I recount Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, as well as David and Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, performed righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong from weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their [†]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36and others [†]experienced mockings and floggings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, [†]they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword. They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, mistreated 38(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in desolate places and mountains and caves and holes [†]in the ground.

39And all these, having [†]gained approval through their faith, did not receive [†]what was promised, 40because God had [†]provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.