Hebrews 11:1-16

Modern English Version

Faith

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the men of old obtained a good report.

³ By faith we understand that the universe was framed by the word of God, so that things that are seen were not made out of things which are visible.

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain offered. Through this he was approved as righteous, with God testifying concerning his gifts. He still speaks through his faith, though he is dead.

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken to heaven so that he would not see death. He was not found, because God took him away. For before he was taken, he had this commendation, that he pleased God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

⁷ By faith Noah, being divinely warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to save his family, by which he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out into a place which he would later receive as an inheritance. He went out not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the promised land, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs of the same promise, ¹⁰ for he was looking for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received the ability to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, who was as good as dead, sprang so many, a multitude as the stars of the sky and innumerable as the sand by the seashore.

¹³ These all died in faith not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ Those who say such things declare plainly that they are looking for a homeland. ¹⁵ And certainly, if they had been thinking of the country out of which they came, they might have had the opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But they desired a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.