13 These all died in faith, (A)not having received the things promised, but (B)having seen them and greeted them from afar, and (C)having acknowledged that they were (D)strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, (E)they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed (F)to be called their God, for (G)he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith (H)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, (I)“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 (J)He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

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13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;(A) they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,(B) admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.(C) 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.(D) 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.(E) Therefore God is not ashamed(F) to be called their God,(G) for he has prepared a city(H) for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.(I) 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.”[a](J) 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead,(K) and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:18 Gen. 21:12