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11 Now de faith pistis is eimi the assurance hypostasis of things hoped for elpizō, the conviction elenchos of things pragma not ou seen blepō. For gar by en it houtos the ho men of the past presbyteros were approved martyreō by God.

By faith pistis we understand noeō that the ho universe aiōn was created katartizō by the word rhēma of God theos, so that eis what ho is seen blepō was ginomai not brought into being ginomai from ek anything observable phainō.

By faith pistis Abel Habel offered prospherō to ho God theos a more acceptable polys sacrifice thusia than para Cain Kain, through dia which hos faith he was attested martyreō as eimi righteous dikaios, God theos himself showing his approval martyreō by epi accepting · ho his autos gifts dōron. · ho And kai though he died apothnēskō, he laleō still eti speaks laleō through dia his autos faith.

By faith pistis Enoch Henōch was taken up metatithēmi so that ho he did not see death thanatos, and kai he could not ou be found heuriskō, because dioti God theos had taken metatithēmi him autos. · ho For gar before pro he ho was taken metathesis he had been approved martyreō as one who had been pleasing euaresteō to ho God theos, and de without chōris faith pistis it is impossible adynatos to please euaresteō him, for gar the ho one who approaches proserchomai God theos must dei believe pisteuō · ho that hoti he exists eimi and kai that he rewards misthapodotēs those ho who seek ekzēteō him autos.

By faith pistis Noah Nōe, having been warned chrēmatizō by God concerning peri events ho as yet unseen mēdepō, took heed eulabeomai and built kataskeuazō an ark kibōtos for eis the safety sōtēria of ho his autos household oikos. By dia this hos act of faith he condemned katakrinō · ho humanity kosmos and kai became ginomai an heir klēronomos of the ho righteousness dikaiosynē that comes by kata faith pistis.

By faith pistis Abraham Abraam obeyed hypakouō when he was called kaleō to go out exerchomai to eis a place topos which hos he would mellō receive lambanō as eis an inheritance klēronomia. · kai He set out exerchomai even though he did not know epistamai where pou he was going erchomai. By faith pistis he migrated paroikeō to eis the land · ho he had been promised epangelia, as hōs to a foreign allotrios land , living katoikeō in en tents skēnē as did meta Isaac Isaak and kai Jacob Iakōb, · ho heirs with synklēronomos him of the ho same autos promise epangelia, · ho 10 for gar he was looking forward to ekdechomai the ho city polis which ho has echō foundations themelios, whose hos designer technitēs and kai builder dēmiourgos is · ho God theos. 11 By faith pistis · kai Abraham was lambanō enabled dynamis to become lambanō a father katabolē—even though Sarah Sarra herself autos was sterile steira and kai beyond para the normal age kairos of childbearing hēlikia because epei he regarded hēgeomai as faithful pistos the ho one who had made the promise epangellomai. 12 And kai so dio it was that from apo this one heis man , and he was already impotent nekroō, there were born gennaō · kai descendants houtos as many as kathōs the ho stars astron of ho heaven ouranos in ho number plēthos and kai as innumerable anarithmētos as hōs the ho grains of sand ammos · ho along para the ho shore cheilos of the ho sea thalassa · ho

13 These houtos all pas died apothnēskō in kata faith pistis, without receiving lambanō the ho fulfillment of the promises epangelia, but alla they saw them autos from a distance porrōthen and kai greeted aspazomai them. · kai They acknowledged homologeō that hoti they were eimi strangers xenos and kai exiles parepidēmos in epi the ho land . 14 For gar those ho who speak legō in such a way toioutos make it clear emphanizō that hoti they are seeking epizēteō a land of their own patris. 15 · kai If ei they had been referring to mnēmoneuō that ekeinos country from apo which hos they had set out ekbainō, they would an have had echō opportunity kairos to return anakamptō. 16 But de as it is nyn, they were longing for oregō a better kreittōn homeland, that houtos is eimi, a heavenly epouranios one . For this reason dio God theos is not ou ashamed epaischunomai · ho to be called epikaleō their autos God theos, for gar he has prepared hetoimazō a city polis to receive them autos.

17 By faith pistis Abraham Abraam, when he was being tested peirazō, offered up prospherō · ho Isaac Isaak; yes kai, he ho who had received anadechomai the ho promises epangelia was offering prospherō his ho only son monogenēs, 18 of pros whom hos he had been told laleō, “It is through en Isaac Isaak that descendants sperma will be named kaleō for you sy.” 19 He considered logizomai that hoti God theos was able dynatos to raise egeirō him up egeirō even kai from ek the dead nekros, · ho and kai, in en a sense parabolē, he did receive komizō him autos back from there hothen.

20 By faith pistis Isaac Isaak invoked blessings on eulogeō Jacob Iakōb and kai Esau ēsau, even kai regarding peri things to come mellō. · ho · ho

21 By faith pistis Jacob Iakōb, while dying apothnēskō, blessed eulogeō each hekastos of ho the sons hyios of Joseph Iōsēph, and kai bowed in worship proskyneō, leaning on epi the ho top akron of ho his autos staff rhabdos.

22 By faith pistis Joseph Iōsēph, at the end of his life teleutaō, spoke mnēmoneuō about peri the ho exodus exodos of the ho sons hyios of Israel Israēl and kai gave instructions entellō regarding peri the burial of ho his autos bones osteon.

23 By faith pistis Moses Mōysēs, when he was born gennaō, was hidden kryptō for three months trimēnos by hypo · ho his autos parents patēr, because dioti they saw that he was an extraordinary asteios · ho child paidion, and kai they were not ou afraid phobeomai of the ho king’ s basileus edict diatagma. · ho

24 By faith pistis Moses Mōysēs, when he was ginomai grown up megas, disdained arneomai to be called legō the son hyios of Pharaoh’ s Pharaō daughter thugatēr, 25 choosing haireō rather mallon to suffer hardship along with synkakoucheomai the ho people laos of ho God theos than ē to enjoy echō the transient proskairos pleasure apolausis of sin hamartia. 26 He considered hēgeomai abuse oneidismos for the sake of ho Christ Christos greater megas wealth ploutos than the ho treasures thēsauros of Egypt Aigyptos, · ho for gar he was looking ahead apoblepō to eis his ho reward misthapodosia. 27 By faith pistis he left kataleipō Egypt Aigyptos, not fearing phobeomai the ho anger thumos of the ho king basileus, for gar he endured kartereō as though hōs seeing horaō the ho one who is invisible aoratos. 28 By faith pistis he kept poieō the ho Passover pascha and kai the ho sprinkling proschysis of ho blood haima, so that hina the ho destroying angel olothreuō would thinganō not touch thinganō · ho their autos firstborn prōtotokos.

29 By faith pistis they crossed diabainō the ho Red erythros Sea thalassa as hōs if on dia dry xēros land ; but when hos the ho Egyptians Aigyptios tried peira lambanō, they were drowned katapinō.

30 By faith pistis the ho walls teichos of Jericho Ierichō fell down piptō after they had been encircled kykloō for epi seven hepta days hēmera.

31 By faith pistis Rahab Rhaab the ho prostitute pornē did not ou perish synapollymi with the ho unbelievers apeitheō, because she had received dechomai the ho spies kataskopos with meta peace eirēnē.

32 And kai what tis more eti shall I say legō? For gar time chronos would fail epileipō me egō if I told diēgeomai · ho about peri Gideon Gedeōn, Barak Barak, Samson Sampsōn, Jephthah Iephthae, about both te David Dauid and kai Samuel Samouēl and kai the ho prophets prophētēs, 33 who hos through dia faith pistis conquered katagōnizomai kingdoms basileia, brought about ergazomai justice dikaiosynē, obtained epitynchanō what was promised epangelia; who shut phrassō the mouths stoma of lions leōn, 34 extinguished sbennymi raging dynamis flames pyr, escaped pheugō the edge stoma of the sword machaira; who after apo weakness astheneia were made strong dynamoō, who became ginomai mighty ischuros in en war polemos and put foreign allotrios armies parembolē to flight klinō. 35 Women gynē received lambanō their autos dead nekros by ek resurrection anastasis. · ho But de others allos were tortured tympanizō, after refusing ou to accept prosdechomai · ho release apolytrōsis, so that hina they might gain tynchanō a better kreittōn resurrection anastasis. 36 Others heteros · de experienced peira jeering empaigmos and kai flogging mastix, and de even eti chains desmos and kai prison phylakē. 37 They were stoned lithazō; they were sawn prizō in en two phonos; they were murdered apothnēskō by the sword machaira. They went about perierchomai in en sheepskins mēlōtē and goatskins aigeios derma, destitute hystereō, persecuted thlibō, mistreated kakoucheō 38 ( of whom hos the ho world kosmos was eimi not ou worthy axios). They wandered aimlessly planaō in epi deserts erēmia and kai on mountains oros, · kai living in caves spēlaion and kai · ho crevices opē in the ho ground , 39 and kai although they houtos all pas had received commendation martyreō for dia their ho faith pistis, they did not ou receive komizō what ho had been promised epangelia, 40 for · ho God theos had provided problepō something tis better kreittōn with peri us hēmeis in mind, so that hina they should teleioō not reach their goal teleioō apart from chōris us hēmeis.

People Commended for Their Faith

11 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. For by it the people of old[a] received God’s commendation.[b] By faith we understand that the worlds[c] were set in order at God’s command,[d] so that the visible has its origin in the invisible.[e] By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith[f] he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith[g] he still speaks, though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverent regard[h] constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going. By faith he lived as a foreigner[i] in the promised land as though it were a foreign country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs[j] of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with firm foundations,[k] whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old,[l] he received the ability to procreate,[m] because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy. 12 So in fact children[n] were fathered by one man—and this one as good as dead—like the number of stars in the sky and like the innumerable grains of sand[o] on the seashore.[p] 13 These all died in faith without receiving the things promised,[q] but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners[r] on the earth. 14 For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is,[s] they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises,[t] yet he was ready to offer up[u] his only son. 18 God had told him, “Through Isaac descendants will carry on your name,”[v] 19 and he reasoned[w] that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense[x] he received him back from there. 20 By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped as he leaned on his staff.[y] 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life,[z] mentioned the exodus of the sons of Israel[aa] and gave instructions about his burial.[ab]

23 By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him[ac] for three months, because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. 26 He regarded abuse suffered for Christ[ad] to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on[ae] the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood,[af] so that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed up. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after the people marched around them[ag] for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of[ah] the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets. 33 Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice,[ai] gained what was promised,[aj] shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire,[ak] escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness,[al] became mighty in battle, put foreign armies to flight, 35 and women received back their dead raised to life.[am] But others were tortured, not accepting release, to obtain resurrection to a better life.[an] 36 And others experienced mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, sawed apart,[ao] murdered with the sword; they went about in sheepskins and goatskins; they were destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (the world was not worthy of them); they wandered in deserts and mountains and caves and openings in the earth. 39 And these all were commended[ap] for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.[aq] 40 For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.[ar]

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:2 tn Or “the elders,” “the ancients.”
  2. Hebrews 11:2 tn Grk “were attested,” “received commendation”; and Heb 11:4-6 shows this to be from God.
  3. Hebrews 11:3 tn Grk “ages.” The temporal (ages) came to be used of the spatial (what exists in those time periods). See Heb 1:2 for same usage.
  4. Hebrews 11:3 tn Grk “by God’s word.”
  5. Hebrews 11:3 sn The Greek phrasing emphasizes this point by negating the opposite: “so that what is seen did not come into being from things that are visible.”
  6. Hebrews 11:4 tn Or “through his sacrifice”; Grk “through which.”
  7. Hebrews 11:4 tn Or “through his sacrifice”; Grk “through it.”
  8. Hebrews 11:7 tn Cf. BDAG 407 s.v. εὐλαβέομαι 2, “out of reverent regard (for God’s command).”
  9. Hebrews 11:9 tn Or “settled as a resident alien.”
  10. Hebrews 11:9 tn Or “heirs with him.”
  11. Hebrews 11:10 tn Grk “that has foundations.”
  12. Hebrews 11:11 tn Grk “past the time of maturity.”
  13. Hebrews 11:11 tn Grk “power to deposit seed.” Though it is not as likely, some construe this phrase to mean “power to conceive seed,” making the whole verse about Sarah: “by faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and too old, she received ability to conceive, because she regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy.”
  14. Hebrews 11:12 tn Grk “these”; in the translation the referent (children) has been specified for clarity.
  15. Hebrews 11:12 tn Grk a collective “the sand.”
  16. Hebrews 11:12 sn An allusion to Gen 22:17 (which itself goes back to Gen 15:5).
  17. Hebrews 11:13 tn Grk “the promises,” referring to the things God promised, not to the pledges themselves.
  18. Hebrews 11:13 tn Or “sojourners.”
  19. Hebrews 11:16 tn Grk “now.”
  20. Hebrews 11:17 tn Here “received the promises” refers to the pledges themselves, not to the things God promised.
  21. Hebrews 11:17 tn Grk “he was offering up.” The tense of this verb indicates the attempt or readiness to sacrifice Isaac without the actual completion of the deed.
  22. Hebrews 11:18 tn Grk “in Isaac seed will be named for you.”sn A quotation from Gen 21:12.
  23. Hebrews 11:19 tn Grk “having reasoned,” continuing the ideas of v. 17.
  24. Hebrews 11:19 tn Grk “in/by a symbol.”
  25. Hebrews 11:21 tn Grk “worshiped on the top of his staff,” a quotation from Gen 47:31 (LXX).
  26. Hebrews 11:22 tn Grk “coming to an end,” “dying.”
  27. Hebrews 11:22 sn Joseph’s prophecy about the exodus of the sons of Israel is found in Gen 50:24.
  28. Hebrews 11:22 tn Grk “about his bones,” which refers by metonymy to the disposition of his bones, i.e., his burial.sn The instructions about his burial are recorded in Gen 50:25.
  29. Hebrews 11:23 tn Grk “Moses, when he was born, was hidden by his parents.”
  30. Hebrews 11:26 tn Grk “the abuse [or ‘reproach’] of Christ.”
  31. Hebrews 11:26 tn Grk “he was looking away to.”
  32. Hebrews 11:28 tn Grk “the pouring out of the blood.”sn The sprinkling of the blood refers here to the application of the blood to the doorways of the Israelite houses (cf. Exod 12:7, 13).
  33. Hebrews 11:30 tn Grk “after they had been encircled.”
  34. Hebrews 11:31 tn Grk “did not perish together with.”
  35. Hebrews 11:33 tn This probably refers to the righteous rule of David and others. But it could be more general and mean “did what was righteous.”
  36. Hebrews 11:33 tn Grk “obtained promises,” referring to the things God promised, not to the pledges themselves. sn Gained what was promised. They saw some of God’s promises fulfilled, even though the central promise remained unfulfilled until Christ came (cf. vv. 39-40).
  37. Hebrews 11:34 tn Grk “quenched the power of fire.”
  38. Hebrews 11:34 tn Or “recovered from sickness.”
  39. Hebrews 11:35 tn Grk “received back their dead from resurrection.”
  40. Hebrews 11:35 tn Grk “to obtain a better resurrection.”
  41. Hebrews 11:37 tc The reading ἐπρίσθησαν (epristhēsan, “they were sawed apart”) is found in some significant witnesses (P46 [D* twice reads ἐπίρσθησαν, “they were burned”?] syp sa Orpt Eus). Other mss have ἐπειράσθησαν (epeirasthēsan, “they were tempted”), either before “sawed apart” ([א] L P [048] 33 81 326 1505 syh), after “sawed apart” (P13vid A D1 Ψ 1739 1881 M lat bo Orpt), or altogether in place of “sawed apart” (0150 vgmss Cl). Since the two words ἐπρίσθησαν and ἐπειράσθησαν are so much alike in sight and sound, and since the position of “they were tempted” varies in the mss, it seems best to say that ἐπειράσθησαν is an accidental transcriptional error of ἐπρίσθησαν or an intentional change to a more common word (the root of ἐπρίσθησαν [πρίζω, prizō] occurs only here in the NT, while the root of ἐπειράσθησαν [πειράζω, peirazō] occurs 38 times). The best reading here seems to be “sawed apart” without any addition before or after. (See TCGNT 603-4, for a discussion of emendations that scholars have proposed for this difficult problem.)
  42. Hebrews 11:39 sn The expression these all were commended forms an inclusio with Heb 11:2: The chapter begins and ends with references to commendation for faith.
  43. Hebrews 11:39 tn Grk “the promise,” referring to the thing God promised, not to the pledge itself.
  44. Hebrews 11:40 tn The Greek phrasing emphasizes this point by negating the opposite: “so that they would not be made perfect without us.”