Hebrews 11

1verseNow faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.

2verseFor by this, the elders obtained approval.

3verseBy faith we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.

4verseBy faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.

5verseBy faith Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.

6verseWithout faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

7verseBy faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

8verseBy faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.

9verseBy faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.

10verseFor he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11verseBy faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.

12verseTherefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.

13verseThese all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14verseFor those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

15verseIf indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.

16verseBut now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17verseBy faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son,

18verseto whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,”

19verseconcluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.

20verseBy faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.

21verseBy faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22verseBy faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23verseBy faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

24verseBy faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,

25versechoosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time,

26verseconsidering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27verseBy faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28verseBy faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.

29verseBy faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.

30verseBy faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

31verseBy faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.

32verseWhat more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets—

33versewho through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34versequenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.

35verseWomen received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

36verseOthers were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.

37verseThey were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—

38verseof whom the world was not worthy—wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.

39verseThese all, having been commended for their faith, didn’t receive the promise,

40verseGod having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.