^13 (A)All these died in faith, ^(B)without receiving the promises, but ^(C)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(D)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 ^[a]thinking of that country which they left, ^(E)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(F)heavenly one. Therefore ^(G)God is not ^[b]ashamed to be ^(H)called their God; for ^(I)He has prepared a city for them.