1Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen.
2For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3Through 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.
4By 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.
5By 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.
6But 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.
7By 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.
8By 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.
9By 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:
10For he looked for a city which hath
foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11Through 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.
12Therefore 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.
13These 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.
14For they that say such things declare
plainly that they seek a country.
15And truly, if they had been mindful of
that country from
whence they came out, they might have had
opportunity to have returned.
16But 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.
17By faith Abraham, when he was tried,
offered up Isaac: and he that had received the
promises offered up his only begotten son,
18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall
thy seed be called:
19Accounting that God was able
to raise him up,
even from the dead; from whence also he received him
in a figure.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau
concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying,
blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon
the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention
of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave
commandment concerning his bones.
23By 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.
24By faith Moses, when he was come to years,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with
the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of
sin for a season;
26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater
riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had
respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the
wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who
is invisible.
28Through faith he kept the passover, and the
sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the
firstborn should touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red sea as
by dry land:
which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down,
after they were compassed about seven days.
31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with
them that believed not, when she had received the
spies with peace.
32And 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:
33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths
of lions,
34Quenched 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.
35Women received their dead raised to life
again: and others were tortured, not accepting
deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection:
36And others had trial of cruel mockings
and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and
imprisonment:
37They 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.
39And these all, having obtained a good
report through faith, received not the promise:
40God having provided some better thing for
us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
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