Hebrews 11
Wycliffe Bible
11 But faith is the substance of things that be to be hoped, and an argument of things not appearing. [Forsooth faith is the substance of things to be hoped, an argument, or certainty, of things not appearing.]
2 And in this faith old men have gotten witnessing.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were made by God's word [By faith we understand the worlds to be shaped, or made, by God's word], that visible things were made of invisible things.
4 By faith Abel offered a much more sacrifice than Cain to God, by which he got witnessing to be just, for God bare witnessing to his gifts[a]; and by that faith he dead speaketh yet.
5 By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, for the Lord translated him. For before [the] translation he had witnessing that he pleased God.
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. For it behooveth that a man coming to God, believe that he is, and that he is [a] rewarder of men that seek him.
7 By faith Noah dreaded, through answer taken of these things that yet were not seen, and shaped a ship into the health of his house [By faith Noah, an answer taken of these things that yet were not seen, dreading shaped an ark, or ship, into the health of his house]; by which he condemned the world, and is ordained heir of rightwiseness, which is by faith.
8 By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place, which he should take into heritage; and he went out, not witting whither he should go.
9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise, as in an alien land, dwelling in little houses with Isaac and Jacob, even-heirs of the same promise.
10 For he abode a city having foundaments, whose craftsman and maker is God.
11 By faith also that Sara barren, took virtue in conceiving of seed, yea, against the time of age; for she believed him true, that had promised.
12 For which thing of one, and yet nigh dead, there were born as stars of heaven in multitude, and as gravel that is at the seaside out of number. [For which thing, and of one, and him nigh dead, men be born as stars of heaven in multitude, and as gravel, or sand, that is at the seaside unnumerable.]
13 By faith all these be dead, when the promises were not taken, but they beheld them afar [but they beholding them afar], and greeting them well, and acknowledged that they were pilgrims, and harboured men on the earth.
14 And they that say these things, signify that they seek a country.
15 If they had had mind of that [And forsooth if they had mind of that], of which they went out, [soothly] they had time of turning again;
16 but now they desire a better, that is to say, heavenly. Therefore God is not confounded to be called the God of them [Therefore God is not confounded, or shamed, to be called the God of them]; for he made ready to them a city.
17 By faith Abraham offered Isaac, when he was tempted; and he offered the one begotten [son], which had taken the promises [which had taken repromissions];
18 to whom it was said, For in Isaac the seed shall be called to thee.
19 For he deemed, that God is mighty to raise him, yea, from death[b]; wherefore he took him also into a parable.
20 By faith also of things to coming [By faith and of things to come], Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.
21 By faith Jacob dying blessed all the sons of Joseph, and honoured the highness of his staff [and honoured the highness of his rod].
22 By faith Joseph dying had mind of the passing forth of the children of Israel, and commanded of his bones.
23 By faith Moses born, was hid three months of his father and mother, for that they saw the young child fair [for that they saw the young child fair, or seemly]; and they dreaded not the commandment of the king.
24 By faith Moses was made great, and denied that he was the son of Pharaoh's daughter, [By faith Moses made great, denied him to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter,]
25 and chose more to be tormented with the people of God [choosing rather for to be tormented with the people of God], than to have mirth of temporal sin;
26 deeming the reproof of Christ more riches than the treasures of [the] Egyptians; for he beheld into the rewarding.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, and dreaded not the hardness of the king; for he abode, as seeing him that was invisible. [By faith he forsook Egypt, not dreading the hardness of the king; forsooth he as seeing sustained the invisible.]
28 By faith he hallowed pask, and the shedding out of blood, that he that destroyed the first things of Egyptians, should not touch them. [By faith he hallowed pask, and shedding of blood, lest he that destroyed the first things of the Egyptians, should touch them.]
29 By faith they passed the red sea, as by dry land, which thing Egyptians assaying were devoured [in waters].
30 By faith the walls of Jericho felled down [fell down], by compassing of seven days.
31 By faith Rahab the whore received the spies with peace, and perished not with unbelieveful men.[c]
32 And what yet shall I say? For time shall fail to me [Soothly time shall fail me] telling of Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, and Samuel, and of other prophets;
33 which by faith overcame realms, wrought rightwiseness, got repromissions; they stopped the mouths of lions,
34 they quenched the fierceness of fire, they drove away the edge of sword, they recovered of sickness, they were made strong in battle, they turned the hosts of aliens.
35 Women received their dead children from death to life; but others were held forth, not taking redemption [Women received their dead of again-rising; forsooth others were holden forth, or dead, not taking redemption], that they should find a better again-rising.
36 And others assayed scornings and beatings, moreover and bonds and prisons.
37 They were stoned, they were sawed, they were tempted, they were dead in slaying of sword. They went about in badger skins [They went about in brock skins], and in skins of goats, needy, anguished, tormented;
38 to which the world was not worthy. They wandered in wildernesses [They erring in wildernesses], and in mountains and dens, and [in] caves of the earth.
39 And all these, approved by witnessing of faith [proved by witnessing of faith], took not repromission;
40 for God provided some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered full much more host, or sacrifice, to God than Cain, by which he got witnessing to be just, God bearing witnessing to his gifts
- Hebrews 11:19 Deeming, that and from dead God is mighty to raise him
- Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the whore perished not with the unbelieveful, she receiving the spies with peace.
Hebrews 11
New Matthew Bible
What faith is, and a commendation of the same. The steadfast belief of the fathers in old time.
11 Faith is a sure confidence of things that are hoped for, and a certainty of things that are not seen. 2 By it the elders were well reported of.
3 Through faith we understand that the world and all the things which are seen were made of nothing by the word of God.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; by which also he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was translated so that he would not see death, and was not to be found, because God had taken him away. Before he was taken away, he was reported of that he had pleased God. 6 But without faith, it is impossible to please him. For the person who comes to God must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
7 By faith Noah honoured God after he was warned of things that were not yet seen, and prepared the ark for the saving of his household – through which ark he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed, to go out into a place that he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he should go. 9 By faith he moved into the land that was promised him as into a strange country, and dwelt in tents; and so did Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked for a city having a foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith Sarah also received strength to be with child, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 And therefore there came from one (and from one who was as good as dead) as many descendants as the stars of the sky, and as the sand of the seashore, which is innumerable.
13 And they all died in faith, and did not obtain the promises, but saw them afar off, and believed them, and hailed them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are seeking a country. 15 Also, if they had been mindful of that country that they came from, they were free to have returned again. 16 But now they desire a better country; that is to say, a heavenly one. And so God is not ashamed of them, even to be called their God. For he has prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was proved, offered up Isaac. And he offered him being his only begotten son that had the promises 18 (of whom it was said: In Isaac shall your seed be called), 19 because he considered that God was able to raise him up again from death. Therefore he received him back, for a figure.
20 In faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph, and bowed himself toward the top of his sceptre.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, anticipated the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, and gave directions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his father and mother, because they saw he was a fine child; neither did they fear the king’s commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 and chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, 26 and esteemed the rebuke of Christ to be greater riches than the treasure of Egypt. For he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, and did not fear the fierceness of the king. For he persevered even as one who had seen him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he instituted the Passover lamb and the effusion of blood, lest he who destroyed the first-born should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, which, when the Egyptians attempted it, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about for seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with the unbelievers when she took in the spies peaceably.
32 And what more shall I say? The time would be too short for me to tell of Gideon, Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, also of David and Samuel, and of the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, wrought righteousness, received promises fulfilled, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the force of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the other nations. 35 And the women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were racked, and would not be delivered, so that they might receive a better resurrection. 36 Others tasted of mockings and scourgings; moreover of bonds and imprisonment; 37 were stoned, were hewn asunder, were sorely tried, were slain with swords, walked up and down in sheepskins, in goatskins, in need, tribulation, and vexation – 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in wilderness, in mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all through faith obtained good report, and yet did not obtain the promise, 40 God providing a better thing for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.
Hebrews 11
1599 Geneva Bible
11 1 He declareth in the whole Chapter, that the Fathers, which from the beginning of the world were approved of God, attained salvation no other way than by faith, that the Jews may know that by the same only, they are knit unto the Fathers in an holy union.
1 Now [a]faith is the grounds of things which are hoped for, and the evidence of things which are not seen.
2 [b]For by it our [c]elders were well reported of.
3 (A)[d]Through faith we understand that the world was ordained by the word of God, so that the things which we [e]see, are not made of things which did appear.
4 [f]By faith Abel (B)offered unto God a greater sacrifice than Cain, by (C)the which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: by the which faith also he being dead, yet speaketh.
5 [g]By faith was (D)Enoch translated, that he should not [h]see death: neither was he found: for God had translated him: for before he was translated, he was reported of, that he had pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God, must believe that God is, and that he is a [i]rewarder of them that seek him.
7 [j]By faith (E)Noah being warned of God of the things which were as yet not seen, moved with reverence, prepared the Ark to the saving of his household, through the which Ark he condemned the world, and was made heir of the righteousness, which is by faith.
8 [k]By faith (F)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed God, to go out into a place, which he should afterward receive for inheritance, and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he abode in the land of promise, as in a strange country, as one that dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he looked for a city having a [l]foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith (G)Sarah also received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful which had promised.
12 And therefore sprang thereof one, even of one which was [m]dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand of the sea shore which is innumerable.
13 All these died in [n]faith, and received not the [o]promises, but saw them afar off, and believed them, and [p]received them thankfully, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things, declare plainly, that they seek a country.
15 And if they had been mindful of that country, from whence they came out, they had leisure to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith (H)Abraham offered up Isaac, when he was [q]tried, and he that had received the [r]promises, offered his only begotten son.
18 (To whom it was said, (I)In Isaac shall thy seed be called.)
19 For he considered that God was able to raise him up even from the dead: from [s]whence he received him also after [t]a sort.
20 [u]By faith (J)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come.
21 [v]By faith (K)Jacob when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph, and (L)leaning on the end of his staff, worshipped God.
22 [w]By faith (M)Joseph when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment of his bones.
23 (N)[x] By faith Moses when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child, neither [y]feared they the king’s (O)commandment.
24 By faith (P)Moses when he was come to age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 And chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, than to enjoy the [z]pleasures of sin for a season,
26 Esteeming the rebuke of Christ greater riches, than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, and feared not the fierceness of the king: for he endured, as he that saw him which is invisible.
28 Through faith he ordained the (Q)Passover and the effusion of blood, lest he that destroyed the first born, should touch them.
29 [aa]By faith they (R)passed through the red sea as by dry land, which when the Egyptians had assayed to do, they were swallowed up.
30 [ab]By faith the (S)walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days.
31 [ac]By faith the [ad]harlot (T)Rahab perished not with them which obeyed not, when (U)she had received the spies [ae]peaceably.
32 [af]And what shall I more say? for the time would be too short for me to tell of (V)Gideon, of (W)Barak, and of (X)Samson, and of (Y)Jephthah, also of David, and Samuel, and of the Prophets:
33 Which through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained the [ag]promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, of weak were made strong, waxed valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 The [ah]women received their dead raised to life: others also were [ai]racked, and would not be delivered, that they might receive a better resurrection.
36 And others have been tried by mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover by bonds, and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were hewn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword, they wandered up and down in [aj]sheep’s skins, and in goats’ skins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented:
38 Whom the world was not worthy of: they wandered in wildernesses and mountains, and dens, and caves of the earth.
39 [ak]And these all through faith obtained good report, and received [al]not the promise,
40 God providing a better thing for us, that they [am]without us should not be made perfect.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 11:1 An excellent description of faith by the effects, because it representeth things which are but yet in hope, and setteth as it were before our eyes things that are invisible.
- Hebrews 11:2 He showeth that the Fathers ought to be accounted of, by this virtue.
- Hebrews 11:2 That is, those Fathers of whom we came: and whose authority and example ought to move us very much.
- Hebrews 11:3 He showeth the propriety of faith, by setting unto us most piked examples of such as from the beginning of the world excelled in the Church.
- Hebrews 11:3 So that the world which we see, was not made of any matter that appeared or was before, but of nothing.
- Hebrews 11:4 Abel.
- Hebrews 11:5 Enoch.
- Hebrews 11:5 That he should not die.
- Hebrews 11:6 This reward is not referred to our merits, but to the free promise, as Paul teacheth in Abraham the father of all the faithful, Rom. 4:4.
- Hebrews 11:7 Noah.
- Hebrews 11:8 Abraham and Sarah.
- Hebrews 11:10 This foundation is set against their tabernacle.
- Hebrews 11:12 As unlikely to bear children, as if she had been stark dead.
- Hebrews 11:13 In faith, which they had while they lived, and followed them even to their grave.
- Hebrews 11:13 This is the figure Metonymy, for the things promised.
- Hebrews 11:13 For the Patriarchs were wont when they received the promises, to profess their religion, by building of altars, and calling on the name of the Lord.
- Hebrews 11:17 Tried of the Lord.
- Hebrews 11:17 Although the promises of life were made in that only begotten Son Isaac, yet he appointed him to die, and so against hope he believed in hope.
- Hebrews 11:19 From which death.
- Hebrews 11:19 For there was not the true and very death of Isaac, but as it were the death, by means whereof he seemed also as it were to have risen again.
- Hebrews 11:20 Isaac.
- Hebrews 11:21 Jacob.
- Hebrews 11:22 Joseph.
- Hebrews 11:23 Moses.
- Hebrews 11:23 They were not afraid to bring him up.
- Hebrews 11:25 Such pleasures as he could not enjoy, but he must needs provoke God’s wrath against him.
- Hebrews 11:29 The red sea.
- Hebrews 11:30 Jericho.
- Hebrews 11:31 Rahab.
- Hebrews 11:31 A notable example of God’s goodness.
- Hebrews 11:31 Courteously and friendly, so that she did not only not hurt them, but also kept them safe.
- Hebrews 11:32 Gideon, Barak and other Judges and Prophets.
- Hebrews 11:33 The fruit of the promises.
- Hebrews 11:35 He seemeth to mean the story of that woman of Zarephath, whose son Elijah raised again from death, and the Shunammite, whose son Elisha restored to his mother.
- Hebrews 11:35 He meaneth that persecution which Antiochus wrought.
- Hebrews 11:37 In vile and rough clothing, so were the saints brought to extreme poverty, and constrained to live like beasts in wildernesses.
- Hebrews 11:39 An amplification taken of the circumstance of the time: their faith is so much the more to be marveled at, by how much the promises of things to come were more dark, yet at length were indeed exhibited to us, so that their faith and ours is as one, as is also their consecration and ours.
- Hebrews 11:39 But saw Christ afar off.
- Hebrews 11:40 For their salvation did hang upon Christ, who was exhibited in our days.
Hebrews 11
Authorized (King James) Version
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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