Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the grounds of things, which are hoped for, and the euidence of things which are not seene.
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 it our elders were well reported of.
For by it the saints of old won God's approval.
3 Through faith we vnderstand that the world was ordeined by the worde of God, so that the things which we see, are not made of things which did appeare. (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 vnto God a greater sacrifice then Cain, by the which he obtained witnes that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: by the which faith also 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 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.
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 vnpossible to please him: for he that commeth to God, must beleeue that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seeke 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 being warned of God of the things which were as yet not seene, mooued with reuerence, prepared the Arke to the sauing of his housholde, through the which Arke hee condemned the world, and was made heire of the righteousnes, 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 Abraham, when he was called, obeyed God, to goe out into a place, which hee should afterward receiue for 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 of promise, as in a strange countrey, as one that dwelt in tents with Isaac and Iacob heires with him 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 citie hauing a foundation, 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 Through faith Sara also receiued strength to conceiue seede, and was deliuered of a childe when she was past age, because she iudged him faithfull which 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 And therefore sprang there of one, euen of one which was dead, so many as the starres of the skie in multitude, and as the land of the sea shore which is 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 in faith, and receiued not the promises, but sawe them a farre off, and beleeued them, and receiued them thankefully, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims 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 such things, declare plainely, that they seeke a countrey.
for men who acknowledge this make it manifest that they are seeking elsewhere a country of their own.
15 And if they had bene mindfull of that countrey, from whence they came out, they had leasure to haue returned.
And if they had cherished the remembrance of the country they had left, they would have found an opportunity to return;
16 But nowe they desire a better, that is an heauenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a citie.
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 offered vp Isaac, when he was tryed, and he that had receiued the promises, offered his onely begotten sonne.
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 seede be called.)
with regard to whom he had been told, "It is through Isaac that your posterity shall be traced."
19 For he considered that God was able to raise him vp euen from the dead: from whence he receiued him also after a sort.
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 Isaac blessed Iacob and Esau, concerning things to come.
Through faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even in connexion with things soon to come.
21 By faith Iacob when he was a dying, blessed both the sonnes of Ioseph, and leaning on the ende of his staffe, worshipped God.
Through faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and, leaning on the top of his staff, worshipped God.
22 By faith Ioseph when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gaue commandement of 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 borne, was hid three moneths of his parents, because they sawe he was a proper childe, neither feared they the kings commandement.
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 come to age, refused to be called the sonne of Pharaohs daughter,
Through faith Moses, when he grew to manhood, refused to be known as Pharaoh's daughter's son,
25 And chose rather to suffer aduersitie with the people of God, then to enioy the pleasures of sinnes for a season,
having determined to endure ill-treatment along with the people of God rather than enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin;
26 Esteeming the rebuke of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect vnto the recompence of 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 forsooke Egypt, and feared not the fiercenes of the king: for he endured, as he that sawe him which is inuisible.
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 Through faith he ordeined the Passeouer and the effusion of blood, least he that destroyed the first borne, should touche 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 drie land, which when the Egyptians had assayed to doe, they were swallowed vp.
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 walles of Iericho fell downe after they were copassed about seue dayes.
Through faith the walls of Jericho fell to the ground after being surrounded for seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them which obeyed not, when she had receiued the spies peaceably.
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 more say? for the time would be too short for me to tell of Gedeon, of Barac, and of Sampson, and of Iephte, also of Dauid, and Samuel, and of 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 Which through faith subdued kingdomes, wrought righteousnesse, obteined the promises, stopped the mouthes 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 sworde, of weake were made strong, waxed valiant in battell, turned to flight the armies of the aliants.
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 The women receiued their dead raised to life: other also were racked, and woulde not be deliuered, that they might receiue 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 haue bene tryed by mockings and scourgings, yea, moreouer by bondes and prisonment.
Others again were tested by cruel mockery and by scourging; yes, and by chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were hewen asunder, they were tempted, they were slaine with the sworde, they wandred vp and downe in sheepes skinnes, and in goates skinnes, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented:
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 Whom the world was not worthie of: they wandered in wildernesses and mountaines, and dennes, and caues 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 these all through faith obteined good report, and receiued 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 prouiding a better thing for vs, that they without vs should not be made perfite.
for God had provided for them and us something better, so that apart from us they were not to attain to full blessedness.
