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.
希伯来书 11
Chinese Standard Bible (Simplified)
信心的伟人
11 信，是对所盼望的事有把握，对看不见的事有确据。 2 古人因着这信曾受到了赞许。
3 因着信，我们明白宇宙[a]是藉着神的话语形成的，从而明白那看得见的事是从看不见的事造出来的。
4 因着信，亚伯向神献上的祭物比该隐所献的更好，就藉着信受到了赞许成为义人，因为神赞许他的礼物。他虽然死了，但藉着信仍然说话。
5 因着信，以诺被接去而没有经历死亡，人也找不到他，因为神把他接去了。[b]原来他被接去以前，已经蒙神喜悦而受到赞许。 6 没有信，就不可能蒙神喜悦，因为来到神面前的人，必须相信神存在，并且相信他报偿那些寻求他的人。
7 因着信，挪亚在那还看不见的事上得了神的指示，就动了敬畏的心，建造了一只方舟，以至于他的家人获救。藉着信，他定了世界的罪，自己也继承了从信而来的义。
8 因着信，亚伯拉罕蒙召的时候，就顺从出发，往他将要得为继业的地方去。他出发的时候，还不知道往哪里去。 9 因着信，他做为外人客居在应许之地，住在帐幕里，与同一个应许的共同继承人以撒、雅各一样， 10 因为他等待着那座有根基的城；那城是神所设计、所建造的。
11 同样因着信，不能生育的撒拉，自己虽然过了年龄，还是领受了怀孕生子的能力，原来她认为向她应许的那一位[c]是信实的。 12 所以从一个如同已经死了的人，就生出了许多人，像天空的星那样众多，像海边的沙那样无法数算。
13 这些人都怀着信仰死去，没有得到那些所应许的，却远远地看见[d]并且欢迎它们，又承认自己在地上是异乡人，是寄居的。 14 实际上，说这样话的人，是表明他们在寻求一个家乡。 15 如果他们真是想念自己所离开的地方，他们还有机会回去； 16 但如今，他们所向往的是一个更美好的，就是在天上的家乡。因此，神被称为“他们的神”并不以为耻；原来他已经为他们预备了一座城。
17 因着信，亚伯拉罕在受考验的时候，献上了以撒；这位领受了各样应许的人，献上了自己的独生儿子—— 18 关于这儿子，神曾经说过：“从以撒生的，将被称为你的后裔。”[e] 19 亚伯拉罕认为，神真的能使人从死人中复活。故此，用比喻来说，他真的从死人中得回了以撒。
20 同样因着信，以撒指着将来的事祝福了雅各和以扫。 21 因着信，雅各临死的时候，祝福了约瑟的每个儿子，又倚着自己的杖头敬拜神[f]。 22 因着信，约瑟临终的时候，提到以色列子民出埃及的事，也为自己的骸骨留下了遗言。
23 因着信，摩西出生以后，被父母藏了三个月，原来他们看见孩子俊美；他们不怕王的命令。 24 因着信，摩西长大以后，拒绝被称为法老女儿的儿子。 25 他宁愿选择与神的子民同受虐待，也不愿享受暂时的罪中之乐。 26 他把为基督受的责骂看做是比埃及的财宝更大的财富，因为他注目那将来的报偿。
27 因着信，他不怕王的愤怒，离开了埃及，因为他恒心忍耐，如同看见了不可见的那一位。 28 因着信，他立[g]了逾越节和洒血的礼，免得那毁灭长子[h]的碰以色列人[i]。 29 因着信，他们走过了红海，像走过干地那样；埃及人试着这样做，就被吞灭了。
30 因着信，他们围绕耶利哥城七天，城墙就倒塌了。 31 因着信，妓女瑞荷在平安中接纳了侦察的人，没有和那些不肯信从的人一同灭亡。
32 我还要再说什么呢？如果我一一述说基甸、巴拉克、参孙、耶弗达、大卫、撒母耳和先知们的事，时间就不够了。 33 他们藉着信，征服了列国，行了公义，获得了那些应许；他们堵住了狮子的口， 34 灭了烈火的威力，逃脱了刀剑的锋刃，从软弱中得以刚强，在战争中得以强大，击败了外国的军队。 35 有些妇女得回了那些从死人中复活的亲人；有些人受酷刑至死也不肯接受释放，为要得到更美好的复活； 36 另有些人经受了戏弄、鞭打的试炼；还有些人受了捆锁、监禁的试炼； 37 他们被石头砸死，被锯成两截，[j]被刀剑杀死，披着绵羊、山羊的皮四处漂泊，遭受穷困、患难和虐待。 38 他们是这世界不配有的。他们在旷野、山岭、岩穴、地洞中漂流无定。
39 这些人虽然都藉着信受到了赞许，还是没有领受到所应许的， 40 因为神为我们预备了更美好的事，使他们没有我们，就不能得以完全。
Footnotes
- 希伯来书 11:3 宇宙——或译作“各世代”。
- 希伯来书 11:5 《创世记》5:24。
- 希伯来书 11:11 因着信，不能生育的撒拉……原来她认为向她应许的那一位——或译作“因着信，亚伯拉罕虽然过了年岁——撒拉又不能生育——但是仍然得着了生育的能力，原来亚伯拉罕认为向他应许的那一位”。
- 希伯来书 11:13 有古抄本附“深信它们”。
- 希伯来书 11:18 《创世记》21:12。
- 希伯来书 11:21 《创世记》47:31。
- 希伯来书 11:28 立——或译作“守”。
- 希伯来书 11:28 长子——原文直译“首生者”。
- 希伯来书 11:28 以色列人——原文直译“他们”。
- 希伯来书 11:37 有古抄本附“受到考验，”。
Hebrews 11
New King James Version
By Faith We Understand
11 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence (A)of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that (B)the [c]worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Faith at the Dawn of History(C)
4 By faith (D)Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still (E)speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, (F)“and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith (G)Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, (H)prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of (I)the righteousness which is according to faith.
Faithful Abraham(J)
8 By faith (K)Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, (L)dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, (M)the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for (N)the city which has foundations, (O)whose builder and maker is God.
11 By faith (P)Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and (Q)she[d] bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him (R)faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as (S)dead, were born as many as the (T)stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
The Heavenly Hope
13 These all died in faith, (U)not having received the (V)promises, but (W)having seen them afar off [e]were assured of them, embraced them and (X)confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things (Y)declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind (Z)that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed (AA)to be called their God, for He has (AB)prepared a city for them.
The Faith of the Patriarchs(AC)
17 By faith Abraham, (AD)when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 [f]of whom it was said, (AE)“In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God (AF)was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
20 By faith (AG)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, (AH)blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith (AI)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
The Faith of Moses(AJ)
23 By faith (AK)Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s (AL)command.
24 By faith (AM)Moses, when he became of age, 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 [g]passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming (AN)the [h]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures [i]in Egypt; for he looked to the (AO)reward.
27 By faith (AP)he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith (AQ)he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith (AR)they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
By Faith They Overcame
30 By faith (AS)the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith (AT)the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who [j]did not believe, when (AU)she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of (AV)Gideon and (AW)Barak and (AX)Samson and (AY)Jephthah, also of (AZ)David and (BA)Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, (BB)stopped the mouths of lions, 34 (BC)quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 (BD)Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were (BE)tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and (BF)of chains and imprisonment. 37 (BG)They were stoned, they were sawn in two, [k]were tempted, were slain with the sword. (BH)They wandered about (BI)in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, (BJ)in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, (BK)having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be (BL)made perfect apart from us.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 11:1 realization
- Hebrews 11:1 Or confidence
- Hebrews 11:3 Or ages, Gr. aiones, aeons
- Hebrews 11:11 NU omits she bore a child
- Hebrews 11:13 NU, M omit were assured of them
- Hebrews 11:18 to
- Hebrews 11:25 temporary
- Hebrews 11:26 reviling because of
- Hebrews 11:26 NU, M of
- Hebrews 11:31 were disobedient
- Hebrews 11:37 NU omits were tempted
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 by Global Bible Initiative
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
