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By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of (A)things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by (B)the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of (C)things that are visible.

By faith (D)Abel offered to God (E)a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And (F)through his faith, though he died, he (G)still speaks. By faith (H)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. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God (I)must believe that he exists and (J)that he rewards those who seek him. By faith (K)Noah, being warned by God concerning (L)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 (M)the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith (N)Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place (O)that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in (P)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, (Q)living in tents (R)with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to (S)the city that has (T)foundations, (U)whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith (V)Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered (W)him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and (X)him as good as dead, were born descendants (Y)as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, (Z)not having received the things promised, but (AA)having seen them and greeted them from afar, and (AB)having acknowledged that they were (AC)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, (AD)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 (AE)to be called their God, for (AF)he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith (AG)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, (AH)“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 (AI)He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith (AJ)Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith (AK)Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, (AL)bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith (AM)Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

23 By faith (AN)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of (AO)the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, (AP)refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 (AQ)choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy (AR)the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 (AS)He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to (AT)the reward. 27 By faith he (AU)left Egypt, (AV)not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured (AW)as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith (AX)he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

29 By faith (AY)the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith (AZ)the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith (BA)Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she (BB)had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of (BC)Gideon, (BD)Barak, (BE)Samson, (BF)Jephthah, of (BG)David and (BH)Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, (BI)stopped the mouths of lions, 34 (BJ)quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, (BK)became mighty in war, (BL)put foreign armies to flight. 35 (BM)Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even (BN)chains and imprisonment. 37 (BO)They were stoned, they were sawn in two,[a] (BP)they were killed with the sword. (BQ)They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—(BR)wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, (BS)though commended through their faith, (BT)did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, (BU)that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:37 Some manuscripts add they were tempted

The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the (A)certainty of things [a](B)hoped for, a [b]proof of (C)things not seen. For by it the (D)people of old [c](E)gained approval.

By faith we understand that the [d](F)world has been created (G)by the word of God so that what is seen (H)has not been made out of things that are visible. By faith (I)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was (J)attested to be righteous, God testifying [e]about his (K)gifts, and through [f]faith, though (L)he is dead, he still speaks. By faith (M)Enoch was taken up so that he would not (N)see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who (O)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. By faith (P)Noah, being (Q)warned by God about (R)things not yet seen, [g](S)in reverence (T)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of (U)the righteousness which is according to faith.

By faith (V)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed [h]by going out to a place which he was to (W)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as a stranger in (X)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, (Y)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, (Z)fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for (AA)the city which has (AB)foundations, (AC)whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even (AD)Sarah herself received [i]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him (AE)faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore even from one man, and (AF)one who was as good as dead [j]at that, there were born descendants who were (AG)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

13 (AH)All these died in faith, (AI)without receiving the promises, but (AJ)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and (AK)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been [k]thinking of that country which they left, (AL)they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a (AM)heavenly one. Therefore (AN)God is not [l]ashamed to be (AO)called their God; for (AP)He has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith (AQ)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had (AR)received the promises was offering up his [m]only son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “(AS)Through Isaac your [n]descendants shall be named.” 19 [o]He considered that (AT)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back [p]as a [q](AU)type. 20 By faith (AV)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith (AW)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and (AX)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith (AY)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

23 By faith (AZ)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the (BA)king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, (BB)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to (BC)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, 26 (BD)considering the [r]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the (BE)reward. 27 By faith he (BF)left Egypt, not (BG)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though (BH)seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he [s](BI)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that (BJ)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they (BK)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were [t]drowned.

30 By faith (BL)the walls of Jericho fell down [u](BM)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute (BN)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies [v]in peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of (BO)Gideon, (BP)Barak, (BQ)Samson, (BR)Jephthah, of (BS)David and (BT)Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith (BU)conquered kingdoms, (BV)performed acts of righteousness, (BW)obtained promises, (BX)shut the mouths of lions, 34 (BY)quenched the power of fire, (BZ)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, (CA)became mighty in war, (CB)put foreign armies to flight. 35 (CC)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their [w]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others [x]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, (CD)chains and imprisonment. 37 They were (CE)stoned, they were sawn in two, [y]they were tempted, they were (CF)put to death with the sword; they went about (CG)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, (CH)tormented 38 (people of whom the world was not worthy), (CI)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes [z]in the ground.

39 And all these, having (CJ)gained approval through their faith, (CK)did not receive [aa]what was promised, 40 because God had [ab]provided (CL)something better for us, so that (CM)apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:1 Or expected
  2. Hebrews 11:1 Or conviction about
  3. Hebrews 11:2 Lit obtained a good testimony
  4. Hebrews 11:3 Or worlds were; lit ages
  5. Hebrews 11:4 I.e., by receiving his gifts
  6. Hebrews 11:4 Lit it
  7. Hebrews 11:7 Or was reverent and prepared
  8. Hebrews 11:8 Lit to go out
  9. Hebrews 11:11 Lit power for the laying down of seed
  10. Hebrews 11:12 Lit in these things
  11. Hebrews 11:15 Or remembering
  12. Hebrews 11:16 Lit ashamed of them, to be
  13. Hebrews 11:17 I.e., only son with Sarah
  14. Hebrews 11:18 Lit seed
  15. Hebrews 11:19 Lit Considering
  16. Hebrews 11:19 Lit in
  17. Hebrews 11:19 I.e., of resurrection, figuratively, pointing to the future
  18. Hebrews 11:26 I.e., insults like those later suffered by Christ
  19. Hebrews 11:28 Lit has kept
  20. Hebrews 11:29 Lit swallowed up
  21. Hebrews 11:30 Lit after they had been encircled for
  22. Hebrews 11:31 Lit with
  23. Hebrews 11:35 Lit redemption
  24. Hebrews 11:36 Lit received the trial of
  25. Hebrews 11:37 One early ms does not contain they were tempted
  26. Hebrews 11:38 Lit of
  27. Hebrews 11:39 Lit the promise
  28. Hebrews 11:40 Or foreseen

Great Examples of Faith

11 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.”[a] For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed[b] that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”[c] 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.

21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.

22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.

23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. 28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half,[d] and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Footnotes

  1. 11:5 Gen 5:24.
  2. 11:11 Or It was by faith that he [Abraham] was able to have a child, even though Sarah was barren and he was too old. He believed.
  3. 11:18 Gen 21:12.
  4. 11:37 Some manuscripts add some were tested.

11 Ἔστιν δὲ πίστις ἐλπιζομένων ὑπόστασις, πραγμάτων ἔλεγχος οὐ βλεπομένων· ἐν ταύτῃ γὰρ ἐμαρτυρήθησαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι. πίστει νοοῦμεν κατηρτίσθαι τοὺς αἰῶνας ῥήματι θεοῦ, εἰς τὸ μὴ ἐκ φαινομένων [a]τὸ βλεπόμενον γεγονέναι.

Πίστει πλείονα θυσίαν Ἅβελ παρὰ Κάϊν προσήνεγκεν τῷ θεῷ, δι’ ἧς ἐμαρτυρήθη εἶναι δίκαιος, μαρτυροῦντος ἐπὶ τοῖς δώροις αὐτοῦ [b]τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ δι’ αὐτῆς ἀποθανὼν ἔτι [c]λαλεῖ. Πίστει Ἑνὼχ μετετέθη τοῦ μὴ ἰδεῖν θάνατον, καὶ οὐχ ηὑρίσκετο διότι μετέθηκεν αὐτὸν ὁ θεός· πρὸ γὰρ τῆς [d]μεταθέσεως μεμαρτύρηται εὐαρεστηκέναι τῷ θεῷ, χωρὶς δὲ πίστεως ἀδύνατον εὐαρεστῆσαι, πιστεῦσαι γὰρ δεῖ τὸν προσερχόμενον τῷ θεῷ ὅτι ἔστιν καὶ τοῖς ἐκζητοῦσιν αὐτὸν μισθαποδότης γίνεται. πίστει χρηματισθεὶς Νῶε περὶ τῶν μηδέπω βλεπομένων εὐλαβηθεὶς κατεσκεύασεν κιβωτὸν εἰς σωτηρίαν τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ, δι’ ἧς κατέκρινεν τὸν κόσμον, καὶ τῆς κατὰ πίστιν δικαιοσύνης ἐγένετο κληρονόμος.

[e]Πίστει καλούμενος Ἀβραὰμ ὑπήκουσεν ἐξελθεῖν εἰς [f]τόπον ὃν ἤμελλεν λαμβάνειν εἰς κληρονομίαν, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν μὴ ἐπιστάμενος ποῦ ἔρχεται. πίστει παρῴκησεν εἰς γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν, ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικήσας μετὰ Ἰσαὰκ καὶ Ἰακὼβ τῶν συγκληρονόμων τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῆς αὐτῆς· 10 ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν, ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ θεός. 11 πίστει καὶ [g]αὐτῇ Σάρρᾳ δύναμιν εἰς καταβολὴν σπέρματος ἔλαβεν καὶ παρὰ καιρὸν [h]ἡλικίας, ἐπεὶ πιστὸν ἡγήσατο τὸν ἐπαγγειλάμενον· 12 διὸ καὶ ἀφ’ ἑνὸς ἐγεννήθησαν, καὶ ταῦτα νενεκρωμένου, καθὼς τὰ ἄστρα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τῷ πλήθει καὶ ὡς ἡ ἄμμος ἡ παρὰ τὸ χεῖλος τῆς θαλάσσης ἡ ἀναρίθμητος.

13 Κατὰ πίστιν ἀπέθανον οὗτοι πάντες, μὴ [i]λαβόντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀλλὰ πόρρωθεν αὐτὰς ἰδόντες καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι, καὶ ὁμολογήσαντες ὅτι ξένοι καὶ παρεπίδημοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. 14 οἱ γὰρ τοιαῦτα λέγοντες ἐμφανίζουσιν ὅτι πατρίδα ἐπιζητοῦσιν. 15 καὶ εἰ μὲν ἐκείνης [j]μνημονεύουσιν ἀφ’ ἧς [k]ἐξέβησαν, εἶχον ἂν καιρὸν ἀνακάμψαι· 16 νῦν δὲ κρείττονος ὀρέγονται, τοῦτ’ ἔστιν ἐπουρανίου. διὸ οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς θεὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν, ἡτοίμασεν γὰρ αὐτοῖς πόλιν.

17 Πίστει προσενήνοχεν Ἀβραὰμ τὸν Ἰσαὰκ πειραζόμενος, καὶ τὸν μονογενῆ προσέφερεν ὁ τὰς ἐπαγγελίας ἀναδεξάμενος, 18 πρὸς ὃν ἐλαλήθη ὅτι Ἐν Ἰσαὰκ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα, 19 λογισάμενος ὅτι καὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν δυνατὸς ὁ θεός· ὅθεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐν παραβολῇ ἐκομίσατο. 20 Πίστει [l]καὶ περὶ μελλόντων εὐλόγησεν Ἰσαὰκ τὸν Ἰακὼβ καὶ τὸν Ἠσαῦ. 21 πίστει Ἰακὼβ ἀποθνῄσκων ἕκαστον τῶν υἱῶν Ἰωσὴφ εὐλόγησεν, καὶ προσεκύνησεν ἐπὶ τὸ ἄκρον τῆς ῥάβδου αὐτοῦ. 22 πίστει Ἰωσὴφ τελευτῶν περὶ τῆς ἐξόδου τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ ἐμνημόνευσεν, καὶ περὶ τῶν ὀστέων αὐτοῦ ἐνετείλατο.

23 Πίστει Μωϋσῆς γεννηθεὶς ἐκρύβη τρίμηνον ὑπὸ τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ, διότι εἶδον ἀστεῖον τὸ παιδίον καὶ οὐκ ἐφοβήθησαν τὸ διάταγμα τοῦ βασιλέως. 24 πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, 25 μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν, 26 μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. 27 πίστει κατέλιπεν Αἴγυπτον, μὴ φοβηθεὶς τὸν θυμὸν τοῦ βασιλέως, τὸν γὰρ ἀόρατον ὡς ὁρῶν ἐκαρτέρησεν. 28 πίστει πεποίηκεν τὸ πάσχα καὶ τὴν πρόσχυσιν τοῦ αἵματος, ἵνα μὴ ὁ ὀλοθρεύων τὰ πρωτότοκα θίγῃ αὐτῶν.

29 Πίστει διέβησαν τὴν Ἐρυθρὰν Θάλασσαν ὡς διὰ ξηρᾶς [m]γῆς, ἧς πεῖραν λαβόντες οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι κατεπόθησαν. 30 πίστει τὰ τείχη Ἰεριχὼ [n]ἔπεσαν κυκλωθέντα ἐπὶ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας. 31 πίστει Ῥαὰβ ἡ πόρνη οὐ συναπώλετο τοῖς ἀπειθήσασιν, δεξαμένη τοὺς κατασκόπους μετ’ εἰρήνης.

32 Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; ἐπιλείψει [o]με γὰρ διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ, [p]Σαμψών, Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, 33 οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, 34 ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα [q]μαχαίρης, [r]ἐδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων· 35 ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· 36 ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· 37 ἐλιθάσθησαν, [s]ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ [t]μαχαίρης ἀπέθανον, περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, 38 ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος [u]ἐπὶ ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσι καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς· 39 [v]καὶ πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, 40 τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.

Footnotes

  1. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:3 τὸ βλεπόμενον WH Treg NIV ] τά βλεπόμενα RP
  2. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:4 τοῦ θεοῦ WH NIV RP ] τῷ θεῷ Treg
  3. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:4 λαλεῖ WH Treg NIV ] λαλεῖται RP
  4. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:5 μεταθέσεως WH Treg NIV ] + αὐτοῦ RP
  5. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:8 Πίστει WH NIV RP ] + ὁ Treg
  6. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:8 τόπον WH Treg NIV ] τὸν τόπον RP
  7. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:11 αὐτῇ Σάρρᾳ Holmes WHmarg ] αὐτὴ Σάρρα WH Treg RP; αὐτὴ Σάρρα στεῖρα NIV
  8. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:11 ἡλικίας WH Treg NIV ] + ἔτεκεν RP
  9. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:13 λαβόντες NIV RP ] κομισάμενοι WH Treg
  10. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:15 μνημονεύουσιν Treg ] ἐμνημόνευον WH NIV RP
  11. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:15 ἐξέβησαν WH Treg NIV ] ἐξῆλθον RP
  12. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:20 καὶ WH Treg NIV ] – RP
  13. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:29 γῆς WH Treg NIV ] – RP
  14. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:30 ἔπεσαν WH Treg NIV ] ἔπεσεν RP
  15. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:32 με γὰρ WH Treg NIV ] γὰρ με RP
  16. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:32 Σαμψών WH Treg NIV ] τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ RP
  17. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:34 μαχαίρης WH Treg NIV ] μαχαίρας RP
  18. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:34 ἐδυναμώθησαν WH Treg NIV ] ἐνεδυναμώθησαν RP
  19. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:37 ἐπρίσθησαν Treg NIV ] ἐπειράσθησαν ἐπρίσθησαν WH; ἐπρίσθησαν ἐπειράσθησαν RP
  20. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:37 μαχαίρης WH Treg NIV ] μαχαίρας RP
  21. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:38 ἐπὶ WH Treg NIV ] ἐν RP
  22. ΠΡΟΣ ΕΒΡΑΙΟΥΣ 11:39 καὶ Holmes ] + οὗτοι WH Treg NIV RP

Faith Directed People’s Lives

11 Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. God accepted our ancestors because of their faith.

Faith convinces us that God created the world through his word. This means what can be seen was made by something that could not be seen.

Faith led Abel to offer God a better sacrifice than Cain’s sacrifice. Through his faith Abel received God’s approval, since God accepted his sacrifices. Through his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

Faith enabled Enoch to be taken instead of dying. No one could find him, because God had taken him. Scripture states that before Enoch was taken, God was pleased with him. No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Faith led Noah to listen when God warned him about the things in the future that he could not see. He obeyed God and built a ship to save his family. Through faith Noah condemned the world and received God’s approval that comes through faith.

Faith led Abraham to obey when God called him to go to a place that he would receive as an inheritance. Abraham left his own country without knowing where he was going.

Faith led Abraham to live as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God. 10 Abraham was waiting for the city that God had designed and built, the city with permanent foundations.

11 Faith enabled Abraham to become a father, even though he was old and Sarah had never been able to have children. Abraham trusted that God would keep his promise. 12 Abraham was as good as dead. Yet, from this man came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore.

13 All these people died having faith. They didn’t receive the things that God had promised them, but they saw these things coming in the distant future and rejoiced. They acknowledged that they were living as strangers with no permanent home on earth. 14 Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for their own country. 15 If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they could have found a way to go back. 16 Instead, these men were longing for a better country—a heavenly country. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God. He has prepared a city for them.

17 When God tested Abraham, faith led him to offer his son Isaac. Abraham, the one who received the promises from God, was willing to offer his only son as a sacrifice. 18 God had said to him, “Through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name.” 19 Abraham believed that God could bring Isaac back from the dead. Abraham did receive Isaac back from the dead in a figurative sense.

20 Faith led Isaac to bless Jacob and Esau.

21 While Jacob was dying, faith led him to bless each of Joseph’s sons. He leaned on the top of his staff and worshiped God.

22 While Joseph was dying, faith led him to speak about the Israelites leaving Egypt and give them instructions about burying his bones.

23 Faith led Moses’ parents to hide him for three months after he was born. They did this because they saw that Moses was a beautiful baby and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s order.

24 When Moses grew up, faith led him to refuse to be known as a son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to suffer with God’s people rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a little while. 26 He thought that being insulted for Christ would be better than having the treasures of Egypt. He was looking ahead to his reward.

27 Faith led Moses to leave Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. Moses didn’t give up but continued as if he could actually see the invisible God.

28 Faith led Moses to establish the Passover and spread the blood ⌞on the doorposts⌟ so that the destroying angel would not kill the firstborn sons.

29 Faith caused the people to go through the Red Sea as if it were dry land. The Egyptians also tried this, but they drowned.

30 Faith caused the walls of Jericho to fall after the Israelites marched around them for seven days.

31 Faith led the prostitute Rahab to welcome the spies as friends. She was not killed with those who refused to obey God.

32 What more should I say? I don’t have enough time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. 33 Through faith they conquered kingdoms, did what God approved, and received what God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 put out raging fires, and escaped death. They found strength when they were weak. They were powerful in battle and defeated other armies. 35 Women received their loved ones back from the dead. Other believers were brutally tortured but refused to be released so that they might gain eternal life. 36 Some were made fun of and whipped, and some were chained and put in prison. 37 Some were stoned to death, sawed in half, and killed with swords. Some wore the skins of sheep and goats. Some were poor, abused, and mistreated. 38 The world didn’t deserve these good people. Some wandered around in deserts and mountains and lived in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these people were known for their faith, but none of them received what God had promised. 40 God planned to give us something very special so that we would gain eternal life with them.