By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of ^(A)things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ 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.

⁸ By faith ^(A)Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place ^(B)that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he went to live in ^(C)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(D)living in tents ^(E)with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was looking forward to ^(F)the city that has ^(G)foundations, ^(H)whose designer and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith ^(I)Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered ^(J)him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and ^(K)him as good as dead, were born descendants ^(L)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, ^(M)not having received the things promised, but ^(N)having seen them and greeted them from afar, and ^(O)having acknowledged that they were ^(P)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, ^(Q)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 ^(R)to be called their God, for ^(S)he has prepared for them a city.

³⁹ And all these, ^(A)though commended through their faith, ^(B)did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ since God had provided something better for us, ^(C)that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and ^(D)sin which clings so closely, and ^(E)let us run ^(F)with endurance the race that is ^(G)set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, ^(H)who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising ^(I)the shame, and ^(J)is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

^3 (K)Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or ^(L)fainthearted.