Letter to the Hebrews (WEB)
11: 1Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. 11:2For by this, the elders
obtained testimony. 11:3By 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. 11:4By faith, Abel
offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him
that he was righteous, God bearing witness with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead,
still speaks. 11:5By faith, Enoch was translated, so that he should not 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. 11:6Without 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. 11:7By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear,
prepared an ark for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became
heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 11:8By 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. 11:9By 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. 11:10For he
looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11:11By 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. 11:12Therefore they were fathered by one, and him as good
as dead, as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by
the sea shore. 11:13These 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. 11:14For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking after a country of their
own. 11:15If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would
have had enough time to return. 11:16But 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.
11:17By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the
promises was offering up his one and only son; 11:18even he to whom it was said, "In Isaac will your
seed be called;" 11:19accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead. Figuratively
speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead. 11:20By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau,
even concerning things to come. 11:21By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons
of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 11:22By faith, Joseph, when his end was
near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his
bones. 11:23By 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. 11:24By
faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
11:25choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a time; 11:26accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he
looked to the reward. 11:27By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured,
as seeing him who is invisible. 11:28By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood,
that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. 11:29By faith, they passed through the Red
sea as by dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up. 11:30By faith, the
walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days. 11:31By faith, Rahab, the
prostitute, didn't perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.
11:32What will I more say? For the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,
David, Samuel, and the prophets; 11:33who, through faith, subdued kingdoms, worked out
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 11:34quenched the power of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and turned
to flight armies of aliens. 11:35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not
accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 11:36Others were tried by
mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. 11:37They were stoned. They
were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in
sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 11:38(of whom the world was not
worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. 11:39These all,
having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn't receive the promise, 11:40God having
provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.