Living by Faith

11 Now faith is the reality^[a] of what is hoped for, the proof^[b] of what is not seen.^{(A) 2} For by this our ancestors were approved.

³ 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]

⁸ 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.^{(A) 9} By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise.^{(B) 10} For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.^(C)

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^[a] considered that the one who had promised was faithful.^{(D) 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.^(E)

¹³ These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance,^(F) greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.^{(G) 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.^(H)

³² Don’t be afraid,^(A) little flock,^(B) because your Father delights^(C) to give you the kingdom.^{(D) 33} Sell^(E) your possessions and give to the poor.^(F) Make money-bags^(G) for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure^(H) in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.^(I)

Ready for the Master’s Return

³⁵ “Be ready for service^[a] and have your lamps lit.^{(J) 36} You are to be like people waiting for their master^(K) to return from the wedding banquet^(L) so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.^{(M) 37} Blessed will be those servants the master finds alert^(N) when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will get ready,^[b] have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.^{(O) 38} If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn,^[c] and finds them alert, blessed are those servants. ³⁹ But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming,^(P) he would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also be ready,^(Q) because the Son of Man^(R) is coming at an hour you do not expect.”^(S)