“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 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. 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 cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he
is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 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. 8 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. 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 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. 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.” (Hebrews 11:1-40 AV)
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