1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he, being dead, yet speaketh.
5By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death, "and was not found because God had translated him." For before his translation he had this testimony: that he pleased God.
6But without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should later receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.
10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
12Therefore there sprang even from one, and him as good as dead, as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13These all died in faith, not having received the promises but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded by them and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For those who say such things declare plainly that they are seeking a fatherland.
15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He hath prepared for them a City.
17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18of whom it was said, "In Isaac shall thy seed be called,"
19accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead, from whence he also received him, in a figurative sense.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a handsome child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
24By faith Moses, when he had come of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,
26esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
28Through faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, but the Egyptians, in attempting to do so, were drowned.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days.
31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with those who believed not, having received the spies with peace.
32And what shall I say more? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and of Barak and of Samson and of Jephthah, of David also and Samuel and of the prophets,
33who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword. Out of weakness they were made strong, waxed valiant in battle, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35Women received their dead raised to life again, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36And others endured the trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover, of bonds and imprisonment.
37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented
38(of whom the world was not worthy). They wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise,
40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.