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By Faith We Understand

11 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence (A)of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

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)

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.

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. 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.

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)

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. 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

  1. Hebrews 11:1 realization
  2. Hebrews 11:1 Or confidence
  3. Hebrews 11:3 Or ages, Gr. aiones, aeons
  4. Hebrews 11:11 NU omits she bore a child
  5. Hebrews 11:13 NU, M omit were assured of them
  6. Hebrews 11:18 to
  7. Hebrews 11:25 temporary
  8. Hebrews 11:26 reviling because of
  9. Hebrews 11:26 NU, M of
  10. Hebrews 11:31 were disobedient
  11. Hebrews 11:37 NU omits 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

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

Por la fe

11 Ahora bien, la fe es tener confianza en lo que esperamos, es tener certeza de lo que no vemos. Gracias a ella recibieron un testimonio favorable nuestros ancestros.

Por la fe entendemos que el universo fue formado por la palabra de Dios, de modo que lo visible no provino de lo que se ve.

Por la fe Abel ofreció a Dios un sacrificio más aceptable que el de Caín y por ella recibió testimonio de ser justo, pues Dios aceptó su ofrenda. Por la fe Abel, a pesar de estar muerto, habla todavía.

Por la fe Enoc fue sacado de este mundo sin experimentar la muerte; no fue hallado porque Dios se lo llevó, pero antes de ser llevado recibió testimonio de haber agradado a Dios. En realidad, sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios, ya que cualquiera que se acerca a Dios tiene que creer que él existe y que recompensa a quienes lo buscan.

Por la fe Noé, advertido sobre cosas que aún no se veían, con temor reverente construyó un arca para salvar a su familia. Por esa fe condenó al mundo y llegó a ser heredero de la justicia que viene por la fe.

Por la fe Abraham, cuando fue llamado para ir a un lugar que más tarde recibiría como herencia, obedeció y salió sin saber a dónde iba. Por la fe se radicó como extranjero en la tierra prometida y habitó en tiendas de campaña con Isaac y Jacob, herederos también de la misma promesa, 10 porque esperaba la ciudad de cimientos sólidos, de la cual Dios es arquitecto y constructor.

11 Por la fe incluso Sara, a pesar de su avanzada edad y de que era estéril,[a] recibió fuerza para tener hijos, porque consideró fiel al que le había hecho la promesa. 12 Así que de este solo hombre, ya en decadencia, nacieron descendientes numerosos como las estrellas del cielo e incontables como la arena a la orilla del mar.

13 Todos ellos vivieron por la fe y murieron sin haber recibido las cosas prometidas; más bien, las miraron y les dieron la bienvenida desde la distancia. También confesaron que eran extranjeros y peregrinos en la tierra. 14 Al expresarse así, claramente dieron a entender que andaban en busca de una patria. 15 Si hubieran estado pensando en aquella patria de donde habían emigrado, habrían tenido oportunidad de regresar a ella. 16 Antes bien, anhelaban una patria mejor, es decir, la celestial. Por lo tanto, Dios no se avergonzó de ser llamado su Dios y les preparó una ciudad.

17 Por la fe Abraham, quien había recibido las promesas, fue puesto a prueba y ofreció a Isaac, su hijo único, 18 a pesar de que Dios le había dicho: «Tu descendencia se establecerá por medio de Isaac».[b] 19 Consideraba Abraham que Dios tiene poder hasta para resucitar a los muertos; en sentido figurado, recobró a Isaac de entre los muertos.

20 Por la fe Isaac bendijo a Jacob y a Esaú, previendo lo que les esperaba en el futuro.

21 Por la fe Jacob, cuando estaba a punto de morir, bendijo a cada uno de los hijos de José y adoró apoyándose en la punta de su bastón.[c]

22 Por la fe José, al fin de su vida, se refirió a la salida de los israelitas de Egipto y dio instrucciones acerca de sus huesos.

23 Por la fe el recién nacido Moisés fue escondido por sus padres durante tres meses, porque vieron que era un niño hermoso y no tuvieron miedo del edicto del rey.

24 Por la fe Moisés, ya adulto, renunció a ser llamado hijo de la hija del faraón. 25 Prefirió ser maltratado con el pueblo de Dios a disfrutar de los efímeros placeres del pecado. 26 Consideró que la deshonra por causa de Cristo era una mayor riqueza que los tesoros de Egipto, porque tenía la mirada puesta en la recompensa. 27 Por la fe salió de Egipto sin tenerle miedo a la ira del rey y se mantuvo firme, pues había visto a aquel que es invisible. 28 Por la fe celebró la Pascua y el rociamiento de la sangre, para que el exterminador de los primogénitos no tocara a los de Israel.

29 Por la fe el pueblo cruzó el mar Rojo como por tierra seca; pero cuando los egipcios intentaron cruzarlo, se ahogaron.

30 Por la fe cayeron las murallas de Jericó, después de que los israelitas marcharon siete días a su alrededor.

31 Por la fe la prostituta Rajab no murió junto con los desobedientes,[d] pues había recibido en paz a los espías.

32 ¿Qué más voy a decir? Me faltaría tiempo para hablar de Gedeón, Barac, Sansón, Jefté, David, Samuel y los profetas, 33 los cuales por la fe conquistaron reinos, hicieron justicia y alcanzaron lo prometido; cerraron bocas de leones, 34 apagaron la furia de las llamas y escaparon del filo de la espada; sacaron fuerzas de flaqueza; se mostraron valientes en la guerra y pusieron en fuga a ejércitos extranjeros. 35 Hubo mujeres que por la resurrección recobraron a sus muertos. Otros, en cambio, fueron torturados, pues para alcanzar una mejor resurrección no aceptaron que los pusieran en libertad. 36 Otros sufrieron la prueba de burlas y azotes, e incluso de cadenas y cárceles. 37 Fueron apedreados,[e] aserrados por la mitad, asesinados a filo de espada. Anduvieron fugitivos de aquí para allá, cubiertos de pieles de oveja y de cabra, pasando necesidades, afligidos y maltratados. 38 ¡El mundo no merecía gente así! Anduvieron sin rumbo por desiertos y montañas, por cuevas y cavernas.

39 Aunque todos obtuvieron un testimonio favorable mediante la fe, ninguno de ellos vio el cumplimiento de la promesa. 40 Esto sucedió para que ellos no llegaran a ser perfectos sin nosotros, pues Dios nos había preparado algo mejor.

Footnotes

  1. 11:11 Por … estéril. Alt. Por la fe Abraham, a pesar de su avanzada edad y de que Sara misma era estéril.
  2. 11:18 Gn 21:12.
  3. 11:21 Gn 47:31, el autor cita la LXX.
  4. 11:31 desobedientes. Alt. incrédulos.
  5. 11:37 apedreados. Var. apedreados, puestos a prueba.

Living by Faith

11 Now faith is the reality[a] of what is hoped for, the proof[b] of what is not seen.(A) For by this our ancestors were approved.

By faith we understand that the universe was[c] created by the word of God,(B) so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.[d]

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.(C)

By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away.[e] For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God.(D) Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.(E)

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.(F) By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.(G) 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.(H)

11 By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she[f] considered that the one who had promised was faithful.(I) 12 Therefore, from one man – in fact, from one as good as dead – came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore.(J)

13 These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance,(K) greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.(L) 14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. 16 But they now desire a better place – a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.(M)

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.(N) He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, 18 the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring[g]will be traced through Isaac.[h](O) 19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead;(P) therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.[i]

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau(Q) concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff.[j](R) 22 By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned[k] the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.(S)

23 By faith Moses, after he was born, was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict.(T) 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter 25 and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.(U) 26 For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.(V)

27 By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible.(W) 28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.(X)

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched round by the Israelites for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.(Y)

32 And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,(Z) David, Samuel, and the prophets,(AA) 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms,(AB) administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,(AC) 34 quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.(AD) 35 Women received their dead, raised to life again. Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Others experienced mocking and scourging, as well as bonds and imprisonment.(AE) 37 They were stoned,[l](AF) they were sawn in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins,(AG) destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.(AH)

Footnotes

  1. 11:1 Or assurance
  2. 11:1 Or conviction
  3. 11:3 Or the worlds were,or the ages were
  4. 11:3 Or so that what is seen was made out of what was not visible
  5. 11:5 Gn 5:21–24
  6. 11:11 Or By faith Abraham, even though he was past age – and Sarah herself was barren – received the ability to procreate since he
  7. 11:18 Lit seed
  8. 11:18 Gn 21:12
  9. 11:19 Or back, as a foreshadowing, or as a type
  10. 11:21 Gn 47:31
  11. 11:22 Or remembered
  12. 11:37 Other mss add they were tempted,