Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not.
Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see.
2 For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.
For by it the saints of old won God's approval.
3 By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God; that from invisible things visible things might be made. (aiōn g165)
Through faith we understand that the worlds came into being, and still exist, at the command of God, so that what is seen does not owe its existence to that which is visible. (aiōn g165)
4 By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Through faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain did, and through this faith he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God giving the testimony by accepting his gifts; and through it, though he is dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Henoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God.
Through faith Enoch was taken from the earth so that he did not see death, and he could not be found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken we have evidence that he truly pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him.
But where there is no faith it is impossible truly to please Him; for the man who draws near to God must believe that there is a God and that He proves Himself a rewarder of those who earnestly try to find Him.
7 By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world; and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith.
Through faith Noah, being divinely taught about things as yet unseen, reverently gave heed and built an ark for the safety of his family, and by this act he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which depends on faith.
8 By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Through faith Abraham, upon being called to leave home and go into a land which he was soon to receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he was going to.
9 By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.
Through faith he came and made his home for a time in a land which had been promised to him, as if in a foreign country, living in tents together with Isaac and Jacob, sharers with him in the same promise;
10 For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God.
for he continually looked forward to the city which has the foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that he was faithful who had promised,
Through faith even Sarah herself received strength to become a mother--although she was past the time of life for this--because she judged Him faithful who had given the promise.
12 For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
And thus there sprang from one man, and him practically dead, a nation like the stars of the sky in number, and like the sands on the sea shore which cannot be counted.
13 All these died according to faith, not having received the promises, but beholding them afar off, and saluting them, and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth.
All these died in the possession of faith. They had not received the promised blessings, but had seen them from a distance and had greeted them, and had acknowledged themselves to be foreigners and strangers here on earth;
14 For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country.
for men who acknowledge this make it manifest that they are seeking elsewhere a country of their own.
15 And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return.
And if they had cherished the remembrance of the country they had left, they would have found an opportunity to return;
16 But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.
but, as it is, we see them eager for a better land, that is to say, a heavenly one. For this reason God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has now prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son;
Through faith Abraham, as soon as God put him to the test, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had joyfully welcomed the promises was on the point of sacrificing his only son
18 (To whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called.)
with regard to whom he had been told, "It is through Isaac that your posterity shall be traced."
19 Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable.
For he reckoned that God is even able to raise a man up from among the dead, and, figuratively speaking, it was from among the dead that he received Isaac again.
20 By faith also of things to come, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.
Through faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even in connexion with things soon to come.
21 By faith Jacob dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod.
Through faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and, leaning on the top of his staff, worshipped God.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Through faith Joseph, when he was near his end, made mention of the departure of the descendants of Israel, and gave orders about his own body.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents; because they saw he was a comely babe, and they feared not the king’s edict.
Through faith the child Moses was hid for three months by his parents, because they saw his rare beauty; and the king's edict had no terror for them.
24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the son of Pharao’s daughter;
Through faith Moses, when he grew to manhood, refused to be known as Pharaoh's daughter's son,
25 Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God, than to have the pleasure of sin for a time,
having determined to endure ill-treatment along with the people of God rather than enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward.
because he deemed the reproaches which he might meet with in the service of the Christ to be greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt; for he fixed his gaze on the coming reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the king: for he endured as seeing him that is invisible.
Through faith he left Egypt, not being frightened by the king's anger; for he held on his course as seeing the unseen One.
28 By faith he celebrated the pasch, and the shedding of the blood; that he, who destroyed the firstborn, might not touch them.
Through faith he instituted the Passover, and the sprinkling with blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting, were swallowed up.
Through faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing over dry land, but the Egyptians, when they tried to do the same, were swallowed up.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, by the going round them seven days.
Through faith the walls of Jericho fell to the ground after being surrounded for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace.
Through faith the notorious sinner Rahab did not perish along with the disobedient, for she had welcomed the spies and had sheltered them.
32 And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel, and the prophets:
And why need I say more? For time will fail me if I tell the story of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and of David and Samuel and the Prophets;
33 Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
men who, as the result of faith, conquered whole kingdoms, brought about true justice, obtained promises from God, stopped lions' mouths,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners:
deprived fire of its power, escaped being killed by the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put to flight foreign armies.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection.
Women received back their dear ones alive from the dead; and others were put to death with torture, refusing the deliverance offered to them--that they might secure a better resurrection.
36 And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons.
Others again were tested by cruel mockery and by scourging; yes, and by chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tried by temptation, they were killed with the sword. They went from place to place in sheepskins or goatskins, enduring want, oppression and cruelty.
38 Of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caved of the earth.
(They were men of whom the world was not worthy.) They wandered across deserts and mountains, or hid themselves in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise;
And although by their faith all these people won God's approval, none of them received the fulfilment of His great promise;
40 God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected without us.
for God had provided for them and us something better, so that apart from us they were not to attain to full blessedness.
