Hebrews 11

1 Now faith is the confident expectation of hoped for, and a conviction of things not seen: 2 for by it the ancients obtained an testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, for the things which are seen were not made of things which appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts: and by it, though dead, he 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 testimony that he pleased God: 6 whereas without faith impossible to please for he that cometh to God must believe, that He is, and is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah being warned by God of things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the safety of his family; whereby he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness by faith. 8 By faith Abraham called to go out to a place which he was afterwards to receive for an inheritance obeyed: and went out, though he knew not whither he was going. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land promised as a foreign dwelling in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob the heirs with of the same promise. 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose maker and founder God. 11 By faith also Sarah received strength to conceive seed, and brought forth when she was past age, because she accounted Him faithful who had promised. 12 So that there descended even from one, and him dead, like the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand on the sea shore, innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but seen them from afar, and been persuaded and embraced and confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. 14 Now they that say such things shew plainly that they are seeking country: 15 and if they had been mindful of that from which they came, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But they desire a better, 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 who had received the promises, offered up his only son; 18 of whom it was told that in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 concluding that God was able to raise even from the dead; from whence indeed he had in a manner received him. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things future. 21 By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph when he died, mentioned the departure of the children of Israel and gave a charge concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw a fine child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin: 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the recompence of reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he continued firm as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he observed the passover and sprinkling of the blood, that he, who destroyed the first-born might not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red-sea, as by dry which the Egyptians attempting were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encompassed seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, having received the spies with peace. 32 And what need I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and Barak, and Sampson, and Jephthah, and David, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 who by faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made powerful, became strong in battle, turned to flight the armies of enemies. 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 the trial of mockings and scourgings, and of bonds too and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain by the sword: they went about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, 38 distressed, (of whom the world was not worthy) wandering in deserts, and mountains, and dens, and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, though they obtained an testimony by faith, received not the promise; 40 God having provided something better concerning us, that without us they might not be made perfect.