By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of ^(A)things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by ^(B)the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of ^(C)things that are visible.

⁴ By faith ^(D)Abel offered to God ^(E)a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And ^(F)through his faith, though he died, he ^(G)still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(H)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 commended as having pleased God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God ^(I)must believe that he exists and ^(J)that he rewards those who seek him. ⁷ By faith ^(K)Noah, being warned by God concerning ^(L)events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of ^(M)the righteousness that comes by faith.

²⁹ By faith ^(A)the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. ³⁰ By faith ^(B)the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith ^(C)Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she ^(D)had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

³² And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of ^(E)Gideon, ^(F)Barak, ^(G)Samson, ^(H)Jephthah, of ^(I)David and ^(J)Samuel and the prophets— ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, ^(K)stopped the mouths of lions, ^34 (L)quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, ^(M)became mighty in war, ^(N)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (O)Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. ³⁶ Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even ^(P)chains and imprisonment. ^37 (Q)They were stoned, they were sawn in two,^{[a] (R)}they were killed with the sword. ^(S)They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy—^(T)wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And all these, ^(U)though commended through their faith, ^(V)did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ since God had provided something better for us, ^(W)that apart from us they should not be made perfect.