The Triumphs of Faith

1Now faith is the certainty of things [a]hoped for, a [b]proof of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old [c]gained approval.

3By faith we understand that the [d]world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible. 4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying [e]about his gifts, and through [f]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 before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. 7By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, [g]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 [h]by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living 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 [i]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore even from one man, and one who was as good as dead [j]at that, there were born descendants who were just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

13All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and 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 [k]thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not [l]ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had received the promises was offering up his [m]only son; 18it was he to whom it was said, “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR [n]DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED.” 19[o]He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back [p]as a [q]type. 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 orders 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 endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, 26considering the [r]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 wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though seeing Him who is unseen. 28By faith he [s]kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were [t]drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down [u]after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. 31By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies [v]in peace.

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

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

[a] 1 Or expected
[b] 1 Or conviction about
[c] 2 Lit obtained a good testimony
[d] 3 Or worlds were; lit ages
[e] 4 I.e., by receiving his gifts
[f] 4 Lit it
[g] 7 Or was reverent and prepared
[h] 8 Lit to go out
[i] 11 Lit power for the laying down of seed
[j] 12 Lit in these things
[k] 15 Or remembering
[l] 16 Lit ashamed of them, to be
[m] 17 I.e., only son with Sarah
[n] 18 Lit seed
[o] 19 Lit Considering
[p] 19 Lit in
[q] 19 I.e., of resurrection, figuratively, pointing to the future
[r] 26 I.e., insults like those later suffered by Christ
[s] 28 Lit has kept
[t] 29 Lit swallowed up
[u] 30 Lit after they had been encircled for
[v] 31 Lit with
[w] 35 Lit redemption
[x] 36 Lit received the trial of
[y] 37 One early ms does not contain they were tempted
[z] 38 Lit of
[aa] 39 Lit the promise
[ab] 40 Or foreseen