1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3. Through 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.
4. By faith Abel offered to 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 speaks.
5. By 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.
6. But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
7. By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8. By 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 where he went.
9. By faith he dwelt for a time 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:
10. For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11. Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive offspring, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12. Therefore sprang there even from one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
17. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall your descendents be named:
19. Concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from which also he received him in a figure.
20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24. By faith Moses, when he had come to maturity, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he looked to the recompense of the reward.
27. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
29. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned.
30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were encircled seven days.
31. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
32. And what more shall I say? 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:
33. Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35. Women received their dead raised to life again, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36. And others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37. They were stoned, they were sawn apart, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered around 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.
39. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive the promise:
40. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
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