Chapter 11

Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that are not seen;

for by it the men of old had testimony borne to them.

By faith we understand that the world was fashioned by the word of God; and thus things visible were made out of things invisible. Abel

By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice more excellent than did Cain, through which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts; and through his faith, though he is dead, he yet speaks. Henoch

By faith Henoch was taken up lest he should see death; and he was not found, because God took him up. For before he was taken up he had testimony that he pleased God,

and without faith it is impossible to please God. For he who comes to God must believe that God exists and is a rewarder to those who seek him. Noe

By faith Noe, having been warned concerning things not seen as yet, prepared with pious fear an ark in which to save his household. Having thus condemned the world, he was made heir of the justice which is through faith. Abraham

By faith he who is called Abraham obeyed by going out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he abode in the Land of Promise as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise;

for he was looking for the city with fixed foundations, of which city the architect and the builder is God. Sara

By faith even Sara herself, who was barren, received power for the conception of a child when she was past the time of life, because she believed that he who had given the promise was faithful.

And so there sprang from one man, though he was as good as dead, issue like the stars of heaven in number and innumerable as the sand that is by the seashore. The Heavenly Country

In the way of faith all these died without receiving the promises, but beholding them afar off, and saluting them and acknowledging that they were pilgrims and strangers on earth.

For they who say these things show plainly that they seek a country of their own.

And indeed if they were thinking of the country from which they went out, they certainly would have had opportunity to return;

but as it is they seek after a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Abraham's Trial

By faith Abraham, when he was put to the test, offered Isaac; and he who had received the promises

(to whom it had been said, "In Isaac thy seed shall be called") was about to offer up his only-begotten son,

reasoning that God has power to raise up even from the dead; whence also he received him back as a type. Isaac, Jacob, Joseph

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau even regarding things to come.

By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and bowed in worship towards the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when dying, made mention of the departure of the sons of Israel and gave orders concerning his bones. Amram and Jochabed

By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw he was a beautiful babe and they did not fear the king's edict. Moses

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied that he was a son of Pharaoh's daughter;

choosing rather to be afflicted with the people of God than to have the enjoyment of sin for a time,

esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of the Egyptians; for he was looking to the reward.

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered as if seeing him who cannot be seen.

By faith he celebrated the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, that he who destroyed the firstborn might not touch them. The Israelites

By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as through dry land; whereas the Egyptians, attempting it, were swallowed up.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had gone around them for seven days. Rahab

By faith Rahab the harlot, who had received the spies in peace, did not perish with the unbelievers. More Heroes of Faith

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, of Barac, of Samson, of Jephthe, of David and of Samuel and the prophets,

who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight armies of aliens.

Women had their dead restored to them by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might find a better resurrection.

Others had experience of mockery and stripes, yes, even of chains and prisons.

They were stoned, they were sawed asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, distressed, afflicted---

of whom the world was not worthy---wandering in deserts, mountains, caves and holes in the earth. Imperfection of Their State

And all these, though they had been approved by the testimony of faith, did not receive what was promised,

for God had something better in view for us; so that they should not be perfected without us.