Now faith
is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen.
02 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
03 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.
04 By faith Abel offered unto 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
yet speaketh.
05 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.
06 But without faith it is impossible to please
him: for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.
07 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things
not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark
to the saving of his house; by the which he
condemned the world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith.
08 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out
into a place which he should after receive for an
inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing
whither he went.
09 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 For he looked for a city which hath
foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself 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 sprang there even of one, and him as
good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky 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 afar off, and
were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims
on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly
that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that
country from whence they came out, they might
have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is,
an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be
called their God: for he hath prepared for them a
city.
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, That in Isaac shall thy
seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up,
even from the dead; from whence also he received
him in a figure.
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20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau
concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed
both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning
upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of
the departing of the children of Israel; and gave
commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid
three months of his parents, because they saw he
was a proper child; and they were not afraid of
the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years,
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 unto the recompence 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 assaying to do were
drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after
they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with
them that believed not, when she had received the
spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would
fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of
Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and
Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
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 fight, 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, yea, moreover of bonds and
imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, 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 these all, having obtained a good report
through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us,
that they without us should not be made perfect.
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