²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things you see but didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear but didn’t hear them.”^(A)

¹³ These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance,^(A) greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.^{(B) 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.^(C)

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.^(D) 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^[a] will be traced through Isaac.^{[b](E) 19} He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead;^(F) therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.^[c]