La fe y sus héroes

11 Ahora bien, la fe es la certeza[a](A) de lo que se espera(B), la convicción[b] de lo que no se ve(C). Porque por ella recibieron aprobación[c](D) los antiguos[d](E). Por la fe entendemos que el universo[e] fue preparado(F) por(G) la palabra de Dios(H), de modo que lo que se ve no fue hecho de cosas visibles(I). Por la fe Abel ofreció a Dios un mejor sacrificio que Caín(J), por[f] lo cual alcanzó el testimonio de que era justo(K), dando Dios testimonio de sus ofrendas[g](L); y por[h] la fe[i], estando muerto, todavía habla(M). Por la fe Enoc fue trasladado al cielo para que no viera muerte(N); y no fue hallado porque Dios lo trasladó(O); porque antes de ser trasladado recibió testimonio de haber agradado a Dios. Y sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios; porque es necesario que el que se acerca a Dios(P) crea que Él existe, y que es remunerador de los que le buscan. Por la fe Noé(Q), siendo advertido(R) por Dios acerca de cosas que aún no se veían(S), con temor[j](T) preparó un arca para la salvación de su casa(U), por la cual[k] condenó al mundo, y llegó a ser heredero de la justicia que es según la fe(V). Por la fe Abraham, al ser llamado, obedeció(W), saliendo para un lugar que había de recibir como herencia(X); y salió sin saber adónde iba. Por la fe habitó como extranjero en la tierra de la promesa(Y) como en tierra extraña, viviendo en tiendas como[l] Isaac y Jacob(Z), coherederos de la misma promesa(AA), 10 porque esperaba la ciudad(AB) que tiene cimientos(AC), cuyo arquitecto y constructor es Dios(AD). 11 También por la fe Sara misma recibió fuerza para concebir[m](AE), aun pasada ya la edad propicia, pues consideró fiel al que lo había prometido(AF). 12 Por lo cual también nació de uno (y este casi muerto(AG) con respecto a esto) una descendencia como las estrellas del cielo en número, e innumerable como la arena que está a la orilla del mar(AH).

13 Todos estos murieron en fe(AI), sin haber recibido las promesas(AJ), pero habiéndolas visto y aceptado con gusto[n] desde lejos(AK), confesando que eran extranjeros y peregrinos[o] sobre la tierra(AL). 14 Porque los que dicen tales cosas, claramente dan a entender que buscan una patria propia. 15 Y si en verdad hubieran estado pensando en aquella patria de donde salieron, habrían tenido oportunidad de volver(AM). 16 Pero en realidad, anhelan una patria mejor, es decir, celestial(AN). Por lo cual, Dios no se avergüenza(AO) de ser[p] llamado Dios de ellos(AP), pues les ha preparado una ciudad(AQ).

17 Por la fe Abraham, cuando fue probado, ofreció a Isaac(AR); y el que había recibido las promesas(AS) ofrecía a su único[q] hijo; 18 fue a él a quien se le dijo: En Isaac te será llamada descendencia[r](AT). 19 Él consideró[s] que Dios era poderoso para levantar aun de entre los muertos(AU), de donde también, en sentido figurado[t](AV), lo volvió a recibir. 20 Por la fe bendijo Isaac a Jacob y a Esaú(AW), aun respecto a cosas futuras. 21 Por la fe Jacob, al morir, bendijo a cada uno de los hijos de José(AX), y adoró, apoyándose sobre el extremo de su bastón(AY). 22 Por la fe José, al morir, mencionó el éxodo de los hijos de Israel, y dio instrucciones acerca de sus huesos(AZ). 23 Por la fe Moisés, cuando nació, fue escondido por sus padres durante tres meses, porque vieron que era un niño hermoso(BA) y no temieron el edicto del rey(BB). 24 Por la fe Moisés, cuando era ya grande, rehusó ser llamado hijo de la hija de Faraón(BC), 25 escogiendo antes ser maltratado con el pueblo de Dios, que gozar de los placeres temporales del pecado(BD), 26 considerando como mayores riquezas el oprobio de Cristo[u] que los tesoros de Egipto(BE); porque tenía la mirada puesta en la recompensa(BF). 27 Por la fe salió de Egipto(BG) sin temer la ira del rey(BH), porque se mantuvo firme como viendo al Invisible(BI). 28 Por la fe celebró la Pascua y el rociamiento de la sangre(BJ), para que el exterminador de los primogénitos no los tocara(BK). 29 Por la fe pasaron el mar Rojo como por tierra seca, y cuando los egipcios lo intentaron hacer, se ahogaron[v](BL). 30 Por la fe cayeron los muros de Jericó(BM), después de ser rodeados por siete días(BN). 31 Por la fe la ramera Rahab no pereció con los desobedientes, por haber recibido a los espías en[w] paz(BO).

32 ¿Y qué más diré? Pues el tiempo me faltaría para contar de Gedeón(BP), Barac(BQ), Sansón(BR), Jefté(BS), David(BT), Samuel y los profetas(BU); 33 quienes por la fe conquistaron reinos(BV), hicieron justicia(BW), obtuvieron promesas(BX), cerraron bocas de leones(BY), 34 apagaron la violencia del fuego(BZ), escaparon del filo de la espada(CA); siendo débiles[x], fueron hechos fuertes, se hicieron poderosos en la guerra(CB), pusieron en fuga a ejércitos extranjeros(CC). 35 Las mujeres recibieron a sus muertos mediante la resurrección(CD); y otros fueron torturados, no aceptando su liberación[y], a fin de obtener una mejor resurrección. 36 Otros experimentaron[z] vituperios y azotes, y hasta cadenas y prisiones(CE). 37 Fueron apedreados(CF), aserrados(CG), tentados[aa], muertos a espada(CH); anduvieron de aquí para allá cubiertos con pieles de ovejas y de cabras(CI); destituidos, afligidos, maltratados(CJ) 38 (de los cuales el mundo no era digno), errantes por desiertos y montañas, por cuevas y cavernas de la tierra(CK). 39 Y todos estos, habiendo obtenido aprobación[ab] por su fe(CL), no recibieron la promesa(CM), 40 porque Dios había provisto[ac] algo mejor para nosotros(CN), a fin de que ellos no fueran hechos perfectos sin nosotros(CO).

Footnotes

  1. Hebreos 11:1 O, sustancia, o, seguridad
  2. Hebreos 11:1 O, evidencia, o, demostración
  3. Hebreos 11:2 Lit., recibieron testimonio
  4. Hebreos 11:2 O, antepasados
  5. Hebreos 11:3 Lit., los siglos
  6. Hebreos 11:4 O, por medio de
  7. Hebreos 11:4 I.e., al recibir las ofrendas de Abel
  8. Hebreos 11:4 O, por medio de
  9. Hebreos 11:4 Lit., ella
  10. Hebreos 11:7 Lit., siendo reverente
  11. Hebreos 11:7 I.e., la fe
  12. Hebreos 11:9 Lit., con
  13. Hebreos 11:11 Lit., para depositar la simiente
  14. Hebreos 11:13 Lit., saludado
  15. Hebreos 11:13 O, expatriados, o, exiliados
  16. Hebreos 11:16 Lit., no se avergüenza de ellos, de ser
  17. Hebreos 11:17 O, unigénito
  18. Hebreos 11:18 Lit., simiente
  19. Hebreos 11:19 Lit., Considerando
  20. Hebreos 11:19 Lit., en una parábola
  21. Hebreos 11:26 I.e., el Mesías
  22. Hebreos 11:29 Lit., fueron tragados
  23. Hebreos 11:31 Lit., con
  24. Hebreos 11:34 Lit., de la debilidad
  25. Hebreos 11:35 Lit., redención
  26. Hebreos 11:36 Lit., recibieron la prueba de
  27. Hebreos 11:37 Algunos mss. no incluyen: tentados
  28. Hebreos 11:39 Lit., testimonio
  29. Hebreos 11:40 O, previsto

Trons människor

11 (A) Tron är en övertygelse om det man hoppas, en visshet om[a] ting som man inte ser. Genom tron fick fäderna sitt vittnesbörd. (B) Genom tron förstår vi att universum har skapats genom ett ord från Gud, så att det vi ser inte har blivit till av något synligt.

(C) Genom tron bar Abel fram ett bättre offer åt Gud än Kain, och genom tron fick han vittnesbördet att han var rättfärdig, när Gud själv bekände sig till hans offer. Och genom tron talar han än, trots att han är död.

(D) Genom tron blev Henok hämtad utan att möta döden, och man fann honom inte mer, för Gud hade hämtat honom[b]. Innan han hämtades fick han vittnesbörd om att han hade behagat Gud. Utan tro är det omöjligt att behaga Gud, för den som kommer till Gud måste tro att han finns och att han lönar dem som söker honom.

(E) I tron byggde Noa en ark i helig fruktan för att rädda sin familj, efter att Gud hade varnat honom för det som ännu ingen hade sett. Genom tron blev han världen till dom och ärvde den rättfärdighet som kommer av tro.

(F) I tron lydde Abraham när han blev kallad att dra ut till ett land som han skulle få i arv, och han gav sig i väg utan att veta vart han skulle komma. (G) I tron levde han i löfteslandet som i ett främmande land. Han bodde i tält med Isak och Jakob som var medarvingar till samma löfte, 10 (H) för han väntade på staden med de fasta grundvalarna vars byggmästare och skapare är Gud.

11 (I) Genom tron fick även Sara, som var ofruktsam, kraft att bli mor till en ätt fast hon var överårig. Hon tänkte att den som hade gett löftet var trofast.[c] 12 (J) Därför fick också en enda man, så gott som död, barn så talrika som himlens stjärnor och oräkneliga som sandkornen på havets strand.

13 (K) I tron dog alla dessa utan att ha fått det som var utlovat. Men de hade sett det i fjärran, hälsat det och bekänt sig vara gäster och främlingar på jorden. 14 De som säger så visar att de söker ett hemland. 15 Hade de tänkt på det land som de lämnat, så hade de haft tillfälle att vända tillbaka dit. 16 (L) Men nu längtade de till ett bättre land, det himmelska. Därför skäms inte Gud för att kallas deras Gud, för han har förberett en stad åt dem.

17 (M) I tron bar Abraham fram Isak som offer när han blev satt på prov. Sin ende son bar han fram, trots att han hade fått löftena 18 (N) och Gud hade sagt till honom: Det är genom Isak din avkomma ska räknas.[d] 19 (O) Abraham räknade med att Gud hade makt att till och med uppväcka från de döda, och därifrån återfick han honom också, bildligt talat.[e] 20 (P) I tron gav Isak sin välsignelse åt Jakob och Esau för kommande tider. 21 (Q) I tron välsignade den döende Jakob Josefs båda söner och tillbad böjd mot änden av sin stav.[f] 22 (R) I tron påminde Josef på sin dödsbädd om Israels barns uttåg och gav befallning om vad som skulle ske med hans ben.

23 (S) I tron hölls den nyfödde Mose gömd av sina föräldrar i tre månader. De såg att det var ett vackert barn och lät sig inte skrämmas av kungens påbud.[g] 24 (T) I tron vägrade Mose som vuxen att kallas Faraos dotterson. 25 (U) Han valde att hellre bli förtryckt tillsammans med Guds folk än att ha en kortvarig njutning av synden. 26 (V) Han räknade Kristi vanära som en större rikedom än Egyptens alla skatter, för han hade blicken riktad mot lönen. 27 (W) Genom tron lämnade han Egypten utan att frukta kungens vrede. Han höll ut därför att han liksom såg den Osynlige. 28 (X) I tron firade han påsken och strök blodet på dörrposterna för att fördärvaren[h] inte skulle röra deras förstfödda.

29 (Y) I tron gick folket genom Röda havet som på torr mark, men när egyptierna försökte drunknade de. 30 (Z) Genom tron föll Jerikos murar, efter att man hade gått runt omkring dem i sju dagar. 31 (AA) Genom tron slapp den prostituerade Rahab att gå under med dem som inte trodde, eftersom hon välkomnade spejarna som vänner.

32 (AB) Vad mer ska jag säga? Tiden räcker inte för att berätta om Gideon, Barak, Simson och Jefta, om David, Samuel och profeterna. 33 (AC) Genom tron besegrade de kungariken, skipade rätt, fick löften uppfyllda, stängde lejons gap, 34 (AD) släckte rasande eld och undkom svärdets egg. De var svaga men fick kraft, de blev starka i strid och drev främmande härar på flykten. 35 (AE) Kvinnor fick sina döda tillbaka genom uppståndelse.

Andra blev torterade och accepterade ingen befrielse[i], för de ville nå en bättre uppståndelse. 36 (AF) Andra fick utstå hån och piskrapp, ja, även bojor och fängelse. 37 (AG) De blev stenade, söndersågade[j], dödade med svärd. De gick runt i fårskinn och gethudar, nödlidande, plågade och misshandlade. 38 (AH) Världen var inte värdig att ta emot dem. De irrade omkring i öknar och bergstrakter, i grottor och hålor.

39 (AI) Och fast alla dessa hade fått vittnesbörd för sin tro, fick de inte det som var utlovat. 40 Gud har nämligen förberett något bättre för oss: först tillsammans med oss ska de nå fram till målet.

Footnotes

  1. 11:1 en övertygelse om … en visshet om   Annan översättning: "ett förverkligande av … ett bevis för".
  2. 11:5 1 Mos 5:24.
  3. 11:11 Annan översättning: "Genom tron fick han också kraft att bli far till en ätt, trots att Sara var ofruktsam och han var överårig. Han tänkte att han som hade gett löftet var trofast."
  4. 11:18 1 Mos 21:12.
  5. 11:19 bildligt talat   Annan översättning: “som en förebild" (till Kristi uppståndelse).
  6. 11:21 1 Mos 47:31 (Septuaginta).
  7. 11:23 2 Mos 2:2.
  8. 11:28 fördärvaren   Ängeln som utförde Guds straffdomar (4 Mos 16, jfr 2 Mos 12:23, 2 Sam 24:16).
  9. 11:35 accepterade ingen befrielse   till priset av att avsäga sig tron (jfr t ex 2 Mack 6-7).
  10. 11:37 söndersågade   Andra handskrifter: "söndersågade, prövade". Både fornkyrklig och judisk tradition anger att Jesaja blev söndersågad under kung Manasse (jfr 2 Kung 21:16).

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;