^31 (A)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³² But recall the former days when, after ^(B)you were enlightened, you endured ^(C)a hard struggle with sufferings, ³³ sometimes being ^(D)publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. ³⁴ For ^(E)you had compassion on those in prison, and ^(F)you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had ^(G)a better possession and an abiding one. ³⁵ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has ^(H)a great reward. ³⁶ For ^(I)you have need of endurance, so that ^(J)when you have done the will of God you may ^(K)receive what is promised. ³⁷ For,

³⁹ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of ^(O)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 ^(P)the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of ^(Q)things that are visible.

⁴ By faith ^(R)Abel offered to God ^(S)a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And ^(T)through his faith, though he died, he ^(U)still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(V)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 ^(W)must believe that he exists and ^(X)that he rewards those who seek him. ⁷ By faith ^(Y)Noah, being warned by God concerning ^(Z)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 ^(AA)the righteousness that comes by faith.