1Now faith is the grounds of things which are hoped for, and the evidence of things which are not seen.
2For by it our elders were well reported of.
3Through faith we understand that the world was ordained by the word of God, so that the things which we see, are not made of things which did appear.
4By faith Abel offered unto God a greater sacrifice than Cain, by the which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: by the which faith also he being dead, yet speaketh.
5By faith was Enoch translated, that he should not see death: neither was he found: for God had translated him: for before he was translated, he was reported of, that he had pleased God.
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God, must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him.
7By faith Noah being warned of God of the things which were as yet not seen, moved with reverence, prepared the Ark to the saving of his household, through the which Ark he condemned the world, and was made heir of the righteousness, which is by faith.
8By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed God, to go out into a place, which he should afterward receive for inheritance, and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9By faith he abode in the land of promise, as in a strange country, as one that dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob heirs with him of the same promise.
10For he looked for a city having a foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
11Through faith Sarah also received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful which had promised.
12And therefore sprang thereof one, even of one which was dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand of the sea shore which is innumerable.
13All these died in faith, and received not the promises, but saw them afar off, and believed them, and received them thankfully, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For they that say such things, declare plainly, that they seek a country.
15And if they had been mindful of that country, from whence they came out, they had leisure to have returned.
16But now they desire a better, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17By faith Abraham offered up Isaac, when he was tried, and he that had received the promises, offered his only begotten son.
18(To whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.)
19For he considered that God was able to raise him up even from the dead: from whence he received him also after a sort.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph, and leaning on the end of his staff, worshipped God.
22By faith Joseph when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment of his bones.
23By faith Moses when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child, neither feared they the king’s commandment.
24By faith Moses when he was come to age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25And chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,
26Esteeming the rebuke of Christ greater riches, than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
27By faith he forsook Egypt, and feared not the fierceness of the king: for he endured, as he that saw him which is invisible.
28Through faith he ordained the Passover and the effusion of blood, lest he that destroyed the first born, should touch them.
29By faith they passed through the red sea as by dry land, which when the Egyptians had assayed to do, they were swallowed up.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days.
31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them which obeyed not, when she had received the spies peaceably.
32And what shall I more say? for the time would be too short for me to tell of Gideon, of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, also of David, and Samuel, and of the Prophets:
33Which through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, of weak were made strong, waxed valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35The women received their dead raised to life: others also were racked, and would not be delivered, that they might receive a better resurrection.
36And others have been tried by mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover by bonds, and imprisonment.
37They were stoned, they were hewn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword, they wandered up and down in sheep’s skins, and in goats’ skins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented:
38Whom the world was not worthy of: they wandered in wildernesses and mountains, and dens, and caves of the earth.
39And these all through faith obtained good report, and received not the promise,
40God providing a better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.