Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:2 For by it the men of old received divine approval.

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he received approval as righteous, God bearing witness by accepting his gifts; he died, but through his faith he is still speaking.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, took heed and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith.

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go.

Hebrews 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

Hebrews 11:10 For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Hebrews 11:14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

Hebrews 11:15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.

Hebrews 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son,

Hebrews 11:18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your descendants be named."

Hebrews 11:19 He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Hebrews 11:20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.

Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.

Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his burial.

Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

Hebrews 11:25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Hebrews 11:26 He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward.

Hebrews 11:27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king; for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

Hebrews 11:28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the first-born might not touch them.

Hebrews 11:29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land; but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given friendly welcome to the spies.

Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets--

Hebrews 11:33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11:34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life.

Hebrews 11:36 Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment.

Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated--

Hebrews 11:38 of whom the world was not worthy--wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Hebrews 11:39 And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised,

Hebrews 11:40 since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.