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Living by Faith

11 Now faith is the reality[a] of what is hoped for, the proof[b] of what is not seen.(A) For by this our ancestors were approved.

By faith we understand that the universe was[c] created by the word of God,(B) so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.[d]

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.(C)

By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away.[e] For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God.(D) Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.(E)

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.(F) By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.(G) 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.(H)

11 By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she[f] considered that the one who had promised was faithful.(I) 12 Therefore, from one man – in fact, from one as good as dead – came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore.(J)

13 These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance,(K) greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.(L) 14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. 16 But they now desire a better place – a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.(M)

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.(N) He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, 18 the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring[g]will be traced through Isaac.[h](O) 19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead;(P) therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.[i]

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau(Q) concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff.[j](R) 22 By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned[k] the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.(S)

23 By faith Moses, after he was born, was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict.(T) 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter 25 and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.(U) 26 For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.(V)

27 By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible.(W) 28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.(X)

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched round by the Israelites for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.(Y)

32 And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,(Z) David, Samuel, and the prophets,(AA) 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms,(AB) administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,(AC) 34 quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.(AD) 35 Women received their dead, raised to life again. Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Others experienced mocking and scourging, as well as bonds and imprisonment.(AE) 37 They were stoned,[l](AF) they were sawn in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins,(AG) destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.(AH)

Footnotes

  1. 11:1 Or assurance
  2. 11:1 Or conviction
  3. 11:3 Or the worlds were,or the ages were
  4. 11:3 Or so that what is seen was made out of what was not visible
  5. 11:5 Gn 5:21–24
  6. 11:11 Or By faith Abraham, even though he was past age – and Sarah herself was barren – received the ability to procreate since he
  7. 11:18 Lit seed
  8. 11:18 Gn 21:12
  9. 11:19 Or back, as a foreshadowing, or as a type
  10. 11:21 Gn 47:31
  11. 11:22 Or remembered
  12. 11:37 Other mss add they were tempted,

11 Now faith is [the] substantiating of things hoped for, [the] conviction of things not seen.

For in [the power of] this the elders have obtained testimony.

By faith we apprehend that the worlds were framed by [the] word of God, so that that which is seen should not take its origin from things which appear.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained testimony of being righteous, God bearing testimony to his gifts, and by it, having died, he yet speaks.

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 has the testimony that he had pleased God.

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]. For he that draws near to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them who seek him out.

By faith, Noah, oracularly warned concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which [is] according to faith.

By faith Abraham, being called, obeyed to go out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he sojourned as a stranger in the land of promise as a foreign country, having dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with [him] of the same promise;

10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, of which God is [the] artificer and constructor.

11 By faith also Sarah herself received strength for [the] conception of seed, and [that] beyond a seasonable age; since she counted him faithful who promised.

12 Wherefore also there have been born of one, and that of one become dead, even as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the countless sand which [is] by the sea shore.

13 All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar off and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth.

14 For they who say such things shew clearly that they seek [their] country.

15 And if they had called to mind that from whence they went out, they had had opportunity to have returned;

16 but now they seek a better, that is, a heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, [when] tried, offered up Isaac, and he who had received to himself the promises offered up his only begotten [son],

18 as to whom it had been said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 counting that God [was] able to raise [him] even from among [the] dead, 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] dying blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph [when] dying called to mind the going forth of the sons of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, being born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child beautiful; and they did not fear the injunction of the king.

24 By faith Moses, when he had become great, refused to be called son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 choosing rather to suffer affliction along with the people of God than to have [the] temporary pleasure of sin;

26 esteeming the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he had respect to the recompense.

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

28 By faith he celebrated the passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as through dry land; of which the Egyptians having made trial were swallowed up.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days.

31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with the unbelieving, having received the spies in peace.

32 And what more do I say? For the time would fail me telling of Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthah, and David and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 who by faith overcame kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped lions' mouths,

34 quenched [the] power of fire, escaped [the] edge of the sword, became strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, made [the] armies of strangers give way.

35 Women received their dead again by resurrection; and others were tortured, not having accepted deliverance, that they might get a better resurrection;

36 and others underwent trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, and of bonds and imprisonment.

37 They were stoned, were sawn asunder, were tempted, died by the death of the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, evil treated,

38 (of whom the world was not worthy,) wandering in deserts and mountains, and [in] dens and caverns of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained witness through faith, did not receive the promise,

40 God having foreseen some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us.

By Faith We Understand

11 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence (A)of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

By faith we understand that (B)the [c]worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History(C)

By faith (D)Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still (E)speaks.

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, (F)“and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

By faith (G)Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, (H)prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of (I)the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham(J)

By faith (K)Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, (L)dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, (M)the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for (N)the city which has foundations, (O)whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith (P)Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and (Q)she[d] bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him (R)faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as (S)dead, were born as many as the (T)stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

13 These all died in faith, (U)not having received the (V)promises, but (W)having seen them afar off [e]were assured of them, embraced them and (X)confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things (Y)declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind (Z)that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed (AA)to be called their God, for He has (AB)prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs(AC)

17 By faith Abraham, (AD)when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 [f]of whom it was said, (AE)“In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God (AF)was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

20 By faith (AG)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

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

22 By faith (AI)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses(AJ)

23 By faith (AK)Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s (AL)command.

24 By faith (AM)Moses, when he became of age, 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 [g]passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming (AN)the [h]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures [i]in Egypt; for he looked to the (AO)reward.

27 By faith (AP)he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith (AQ)he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith (AR)they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

30 By faith (AS)the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith (AT)the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who [j]did not believe, when (AU)she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of (AV)Gideon and (AW)Barak and (AX)Samson and (AY)Jephthah, also of (AZ)David and (BA)Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, (BB)stopped the mouths of lions, 34 (BC)quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 (BD)Women received their dead raised to life again.

Others were (BE)tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and (BF)of chains and imprisonment. 37 (BG)They were stoned, they were sawn in two, [k]were tempted, were slain with the sword. (BH)They wandered about (BI)in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, (BJ)in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, (BK)having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be (BL)made perfect apart from us.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:1 realization
  2. Hebrews 11:1 Or confidence
  3. Hebrews 11:3 Or ages, Gr. aiones, aeons
  4. Hebrews 11:11 NU omits she bore a child
  5. Hebrews 11:13 NU, M omit were assured of them
  6. Hebrews 11:18 to
  7. Hebrews 11:25 temporary
  8. Hebrews 11:26 reviling because of
  9. Hebrews 11:26 NU, M of
  10. Hebrews 11:31 were disobedient
  11. Hebrews 11:37 NU omits were tempted