论信心

11 信心是对盼望的事有把握,对还没看见的事很确定。 古人因有这样的信心而得到了赞许。 我们凭信心知道宇宙是借着上帝的话造成的,所以看得见的是从看不见的造出来的。

亚伯凭信心向上帝献祭,比该隐所献的更美,蒙了上帝的悦纳,被称为义人。他虽然死了,却仍然借着信心说话。

以诺因为信而被接到天上,没有经历死亡。世人找不到他,因为上帝已经把他接走了。其实他在被接之前,已经得到了肯定,是一个蒙上帝喜悦的人。 没有信心的人不能得到上帝的喜悦,因为来到上帝面前的人必须相信上帝存在,并相信祂会赏赐一切寻求祂的人。

挪亚因为有信心,在上帝指示他未来要发生的事之后,就怀着敬畏的心建造方舟,来救全家的人。他借着信心定了那个世代的罪,并承受了因信而来的义。

亚伯拉罕因为有信心,听到上帝的呼召后,就遵命前往他将要承受为产业的地方,但他出发的时候还不知道自己要去哪里。 他凭信心像异乡人一样寄居在上帝应许给他的地方。他住在帐篷里,与同受一个应许的以撒和雅各一样。 10 因为他盼望的是一座有根基的城,是由上帝设计、建造的。

11 撒拉过了生育年龄后凭信心仍然得到了孕育后代的能力,因为她认定赐她应许的上帝言出必行。 12 所以,从一个垂暮之年的人生出许多子孙,好像天上的星、海边的沙那么多。

13 这些人到死都满怀信心。他们虽然没有得到上帝所应许的,却从远处望见了,就欢喜快乐,承认自己在世上不过是寄居的异乡人。 14 他们抱这样的态度,表明他们正在寻找一个家乡。 15 如果他们想念的是自己离开的家乡,就找机会回去了。 16 然而,他们渴慕的是天上更美的家乡。所以,上帝不以被他们称为上帝为耻,因为祂已经为他们预备了一座城。

17 亚伯拉罕被试验时凭信心把以撒献为祭物,承受应许的亚伯拉罕当时献上了自己的独生子。 18 论到这儿子,上帝曾说:“以撒生的才可算为你的后裔。” 19 他认定上帝能使死人复活,从象征意义上说,他也确实从死亡中得回了以撒。

20 以撒凭信心指着将来的事为雅各和以扫祝福。

21 雅各凭信心在临终之时分别为约瑟的两个儿子祝福,并拄着拐杖敬拜上帝。

22 约瑟临终之时凭信心提到以色列人将来要离开埃及,并交代要如何处理自己的骸骨。

23 摩西生下来时,他父母见他长得俊美,就凭信心把他藏了三个月,不怕违抗王的命令。

24 摩西长大成人后,凭信心拒绝做法老之女的儿子, 25 宁愿与上帝的子民一同受苦,也不肯享受一时的罪中之乐。 26 在他眼中,为基督所受的凌辱远比埃及的财富更有价值,因为他盼望的是将来的赏赐。 27 他凭信心离开埃及,不怕王的愤怒。他坚忍不拔,好像看见了肉眼不能看见的主。 28 他凭信心守逾越节,行洒血的礼,免得那位杀长子的伤害以色列人。

29 以色列人凭信心渡过红海,如履干地,埃及人试图过去,却被海水淹没。 30 以色列人凭信心绕着耶利哥城走了七天,城墙就倒塌了。

31 妓女喇合凭信心善待以色列的探子,没有与那些不顺服的人一同灭亡。

32 我还要再说下去吗?我没有时间一一细说基甸、巴拉、参孙、耶弗他、大卫、撒母耳和众先知的事了。 33 他们凭信心战胜了敌国,行了公义,得到了应许,堵住了狮子的口, 34 熄灭了猛烈的火焰,刀下逃生,由软弱变为刚强,作战勇猛,击退外敌。

35 有些妇女得回了从死里复活的亲人;有些人受尽严刑拷打,仍不肯苟且偷生,为要得到一个复活后更美好的生命。 36 有些人遭受戏弄和鞭打,还有些人遭受捆锁和囚禁。 37 他们被人用石头打死,受威逼利诱[a],被锯成两截,丧生刀剑之下,披着绵羊和山羊的皮四处奔跑,受尽贫乏、迫害和虐待, 38 在旷野、群山、山洞和地穴中漂流不定。他们是世界不配有的!

39 这些人都因信心而获得赞许,但他们并未得到上帝的应许, 40 因为上帝为我们预备了更美的,要叫他们与我们一同得到才算完美。

Footnotes

  1. 11:37 有圣经抄本在此处无“受威逼利诱”。

11 Nu, de Gloowe es ne Werklichkjeit fonn daut waut maun hopt, en Bewiess fonn daut waut nich to seene es.

Dan derch dit kjreaje dee to oole Tiede aea Zeichness.

Derchem Gloowe festo wie daut Welte derch Gott sien Wuat toojerecht worde, so daut waut nu to seene es, nich fonn daut haeajekome es daut rom onns to seene es.

Derchem Gloowe oppfad Abel en baetret Opfa aus Kain, derch woont he Zeichness kjreach daut hee jeracht wea, enndaem daut Gott Zeichness jeef waeajen siene Gow, en doaderch raet hee noch, wan hee uk Doot es.

Derchem Gloowe wort Heenoch wajch jenome daut hee daen Doot nich sach, en wea nich to finje wiel Gott am wajch jenome haud. Dan eeha hee wajch jenome wort, haud hee Zeichness jekjraeaje daut Gott en Jefaule haud aun am.

Oba oone Gloowe eset ommaeajlich Gott to jefaule: dan waea sikj no Gott nodat, mott jleewe daut Gott es, en daut hee daen beloont dee am ut seakje.

Derchem Gloowe, aus Gott am woarnd fonn soont waut noch nich to seene wea, wiel hee From wea, bud Nooha en Schep siene Famielje to rade, en doaderch fadaumd hee de Welt, en oawd dee Jerachtichkjet dee derchem Gloowe kjemt.

Derchem Gloowe wea Obraum jehuarsaum aus hee beroopt wort no ne Staed to reise dee hee nohaea sull kjriehe aus en Oawgoot, en festunnt nich wua hee han deed.

Derchem Gloowe wond hee enn daut fesproaknet Launt enn Tselte, so aus en Framda, met Iesak en Joakopp, daen daut Oawgoot uk fesproake wea;

10 Dan hee luad no ne Staut dee Gruntloag haud, daen Gott selfst utjelajcht en jebut haft.

11 Derchem Gloowe kjreach Sara selfst uk dee Krauft Mutta to woare sogoa wan see uk too oolt wea doato, wiel see doamet raeakjend daut dee Tru wea dee daut fesproake haud.

12 Doaromm kjeem doa fonn eenem, en dee sogoot aus Doot, soo fael aus dee Stearens em Himel, en es daut Saunt aum kaunt fomm Maea, daut nich to tale jeit.

13 Dise sent aule em Gloowe jestorwe en ha dee Fespraeakjunje nich jekjraeaje, sage dee oba fonn wiet auf, en jreeste dee, en bekjande daut see Framde en Derchwaundra weare.

14 Soone dee soont saje bekjane doaderch daut see en Fodalaunt seakje.

15 Aun eene Haunt, wan see jedocht haude aun daut Launt fonn wua see jekome weare, haude see feleicht Jelaeajenheit jehaut trig to trakje;

16 Nu oba aune aundre Haunt straewde see no en baetret, daut heet en himleschet; doaromm shaemt Gott sikj nich aea Gott jenant to woare, dan hee haft fa an ne Staut reed jemoakt.

17 Derchem Gloowe opfad Obraum sien Saen Iesak aus am oppe Proow jestalt wort, en dee de Fespraeakjunje jekjraeaje haud opfad sien eensje Saen;

18 fonn daem jesajcht wea: "Enn Iesak saul dien Some senne",

19 wiel hee doamet raeakjend daut Gott am kunn fomm Doot oppwakje; fonn wua hee am uk enn en Jlikness trig kjreach.

20 Derchem Gloowe saeajend Iesak beid Joakopp en Eesau waejen daut waut noch kome sull.

21 Derchem Gloowe, aus hee bottem stoawe wea, saeajend Joakopp Joosef siene Saens, en baed Gott aun waearent hee opp sien Gonstok laend.

22 Derchem Gloowe, aus Joosef storf, raed hee doafonn daut dee Kjinja Iesrael felote wudde, en jeef Befael waeajen siene Knoakes.

23 Derchem Gloowe festuake Mooses siene Elre am fa dree Moonat aus hee jebuare wea, wiel see saje daut hee en scheenet Kjint wea, en see engste sikj nich fa daem Kjeenich sien Befael.

24 Derchem Gloowe, aus Mooses oppjewosse wea, leet hee sikj nich meeha aus Farao siene Dochte aea Saen nane,

25 en waeld sikj leewa met Gott sien Follkj to liede, aus fa en Stootje dee Sind Jenuss to habe;

26 Hee raeakjend fa Christus to liede en fael jratret Rikjdom to senne aus aul daut Iejipteschet Schats, dan hee kjikjt wajch no dee Beloonunk.

27 Derchem Gloowe feleet hee Iejipte, en engst sikj nich fa daem Kjeenich sien Oaja, dan hee hilt ut aus wan hee daem sach dee nich to seene es.

28 Derchem Gloowe hilt hee daut Passafast, en daut Bloot Bespretse, so daut dee, dee aul dee easchtjebuarne ommbrocht, an nich aunreare wudd.

29 Derchem Gloowe jinje see derch daut Roodet Maea aus opp dreaje Ead, waut dee Iejipte uk proowde, oba fedrunke.

30 Derchem Gloowe folle Jieriko aeare Wenj omm, aus see doa fa saewen Doag eromm jinje.

31 Derchem Gloowe wort Rahab dee Hua, nich met dee Onnjehuarsaume omm jebrocht, aus see dee Spione oppneem met Fraed.

32 En waut saul ekj meeha saje? dan dee Tiet wudd mie faele wan ekj fetale wull fonn Gideon, Barak, Simsoon, Jefta, fonn beid Doft en Samuel, en dee Profeete,

33 dee derch Gloowe Kjeenichrikje enn neeme, Jerachtichkjeit wirkte, kjreaje Fespraeakjunje, festoppte Leewes aeare Miela,

34 aeawakjeeme dee Krauft fomm Fia, brennde derch fonn daut Schweat, worde Stoakj jemoakt enn Schwakheit, weare Stoakj emm Kjrich, en sade de Fiend aeare Haead enne Flucht.

35 Fruhes kjreaje aeare Doodes trig derch oppstone fom Doot; en aundre worde doot jeschloage leewa aus Frie to woare, daut see en baetret Oppstone fom Doot kunne kjriee;

36 en aundre worde derch fespotte en fekjiele jeprooft, en uk noch meeha, worde faustjenome en enjestopt em Jefenknes;

37 daen wort jesteenicht, see worde jeprooft, tweijesoacht, metem Schweat jemordet, see waundeda enn Schopsfal, en Kosefal, weare enn Noot, enn Aelend, worde schlajcht behaundelt,

38 - de Welt wearet nich Weat daut see dee haud, - see waundada enne Wiltnes, en manke Boaj, en enne Boajcheele en Lajche enne Ead.

39 En dise aula kjreaje en goodet Zeichnes derch aea Gloowe, kjreaje oba nich waut fesproake wea,

40 dan Gott haud waut baetret em Senn omm onnset haulwe, daut jane nich oone onns sulle follkome woare.

信仰

11 信仰意味着确信我们所期待的事情,肯定我们所看不见的事情。 古人就是为此而得到了上帝的赞扬。

凭着信仰,我们理解宇宙是在上帝的命令之下创造出来的,因此,可见的事物产生于不可见的事物。

凭着信仰,亚伯奉献给上帝的祭物比该隐的祭物更好,因为亚伯的信仰,上帝赞赏他的贡品,称赞他为正直的人。尽管他已经死了,但他依然凭着信仰在说话。

凭着信仰,以诺被升到天堂,使他没有经历死亡,人们再也找不到他了。因为上帝把他带走了,他在被提升之前,被赞颂为受到上帝喜欢的人。 没有信仰的人是不可能令上帝满意的,因为来到上帝面前的人必须相信上帝的存在,而且相信上帝能够报偿追求他的人。

凭着信仰,诺亚对还没有看到的事情听从了警告,他造了一只方舟,使他的全家得救,凭着信仰,他给这个世界定了罪,并成为由信仰而产生的义的继承人。

凭着信仰,当亚伯拉罕服从了上帝的召唤,出发到一个他将要继承的地方去了,尽管他不知道要去什么地方,但他还是出发了; 凭着信仰,他生活在上帝许诺给他的地方,仿佛是客居异乡,他住在帐篷里,就像继承同一许诺的以撒和雅各一样。 10 他这么做,是因为他向往一个有着永恒基石的城市,这个城市是上帝设计和建造的。

11 凭着信仰,亚伯拉罕虽然已经过了生育年龄,而且撒拉又不能生育,但仍然领受了生儿育女的能力,因为他相信许下这诺言的上帝是可以信赖的。 12 尽管那时亚伯拉罕已行将就木,但是他身后的子孙却多如天上的繁星和海滩上数不清的沙粒。

13 这些人都是怀着信仰死去的。他们没有得到许诺的东西,他们只是远远地看见了那些东西并欢迎它们。他们承认自己只不过是地上异邦人和陌生人。 14 说这些话的人,表明他们正在寻找自己的家园。 15 假如他们当时仍然想念离开的那个家,他们就会有机会回去。 16 但是,他们向往的却是一个更美好的家园,一个天上的家园,因此,上帝不因为被称为他们的上帝而感到羞耻,他为他们准备了一座城市。

17 凭着信仰,当亚伯拉罕接受上帝考验的时候,他把以撒献上做为祭物,的确,接受许诺的他准备牺牲自己的独子。

18 上帝对他说过∶“你的子孙后代全都来自以撒。” 19 亚伯拉罕相信,上帝能够让人起死回生,从象征的意义上来说,他的确得到了死而复活的以撒。

20 凭着信仰,以撒为以扫和雅各的前途祝福, 21 凭着信仰,雅各在临终时祝福约瑟的每一个儿子,并拄着拐杖敬拜上帝。

22 凭着信仰,约瑟在临终前说到以色列人 [a]将要离开埃及,并就自己的遗骨做了嘱咐。

23 凭着信仰,当摩西出生后,因为他的父母看到他是个漂亮的婴儿,便把他藏了三个月,他们不怕国王的命令。

24 凭着信仰,摩西长大后拒绝被称为法老女儿的儿子。 25 他宁愿与上帝的子民们一同忍受虐待,而不去享受罪恶的短暂快乐。 26 在他眼里,为基督 [b]而受到侮辱,比拥有埃及的财宝还要珍贵,因为他期待着未来他的报偿。 27 凭着信仰,他不畏国王的愤怒,离开了埃及。摩西坚持不懈,因为他似乎看见了那位不为人所见的上帝。 28 凭着信仰,他恪守逾越节 [c],喷洒血水,以便使毁灭天使不能去碰以色列人的长子。

29 凭着信仰,以色列人渡过红海时如履旱地,但是,当埃及人企图渡过红海时,却被淹死了。

30 凭着信仰,人们围着耶利哥的城墙走了七天,城墙终于倒塌了。

31 凭着信仰,妓女喇合没有和那些不服从的人一起被杀死,因为她曾友好地接待过密探。

32 我还能再说什么呢?我没有那么多的时间,一一列举基甸、巴拉、参孙、耶弗他、大卫、撒母耳和先知们的事。 33 凭着信仰,这些人征服了其它王国,建立了正义,并得到了上帝的许诺。他们堵住了狮子之口, 34 扑灭了烈火,逃避了在刀剑下的死亡。他们的懦弱化为坚强。他们在战斗中成长壮大,并且击溃了外邦的敌人。 35 女人们重新得到那些从死里复活的亲人。其他的人虽身受折磨,却拒绝解脱,为的是能够获得更好的复活。 36 一些人面对嘲讽与鞭打,还有一些人面对着锁链与监牢。 37 他们挨石头砸、被锯成两截,被剑杀死。他们披着绵羊皮和山羊皮四处漂泊,穷困潦倒,受迫害与虐待。 38 这个世界不值得他们居住,他们在荒野与山巅间流浪,在山洞和地穴里藏身。

39 这些人因为他们的信仰而受到称赞,但他们并没有得到许诺给他们的一切, 40 因为上帝为我们计划了更美好的事情,因此,他们只有与我们在一起才能完美。

Footnotes

  1. 希 伯 來 書 11:22 以色列人: 犹太人。
  2. 希 伯 來 書 11:26 基督: 受油膏者或受上帝所选。
  3. 希 伯 來 書 11:28 逾越节: 犹太人的重要圣日。每年那天他们吃特殊的饭餐,来纪念在摩西时代上帝使他们在埃及摆脱了奴役。

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

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 this testimony, that he pleased God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, 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 that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from 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 he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, 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 pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

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 trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

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

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for(A) and assurance about what we do not see.(B) This is what the ancients were commended for.(C)

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command,(D) so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended(E) as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings.(F) And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.(G)

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”[a](H) For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him(I) must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen,(J) in holy fear built an ark(K) to save his family.(L) By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.(M)

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,(N) obeyed and went,(O) even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land(P) like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,(Q) as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.(R) 10 For he was looking forward to the city(S) with foundations,(T) whose architect and builder is God.(U) 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age,(V) was enabled to bear children(W) because she[b] considered him faithful(X) who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead,(Y) came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.(Z)

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;(AA) they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,(AB) admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.(AC) 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.(AD) 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.(AE) Therefore God is not ashamed(AF) to be called their God,(AG) for he has prepared a city(AH) for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.(AI) He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[c](AJ) 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead,(AK) and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.(AL)

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons,(AM) and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.(AN)

23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born,(AO) because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.(AP)

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.(AQ) 25 He chose to be mistreated(AR) along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace(AS) for the sake of Christ(AT) as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.(AU) 27 By faith he left Egypt,(AV) not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer(AW) of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.(AX)

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.(AY)

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.(AZ)

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[d](BA)

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon,(BB) Barak,(BC) Samson(BD) and Jephthah,(BE) about David(BF) and Samuel(BG) and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms,(BH) administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,(BI) 34 quenched the fury of the flames,(BJ) and escaped the edge of the sword;(BK) whose weakness was turned to strength;(BL) and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.(BM) 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again.(BN) There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging,(BO) and even chains and imprisonment.(BP) 37 They were put to death by stoning;[e](BQ) they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.(BR) They went about in sheepskins and goatskins,(BS) destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves(BT) and in holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended(BU) for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,(BV) 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us(BW) would they be made perfect.(BX)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:5 Gen. 5:24
  2. Hebrews 11:11 Or By faith Abraham, even though he was too old to have children—and Sarah herself was not able to conceive—was enabled to become a father because he
  3. Hebrews 11:18 Gen. 21:12
  4. Hebrews 11:31 Or unbelieving
  5. Hebrews 11:37 Some early manuscripts stoning; they were put to the test;