Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the conviction of what we do not see.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Because of their faith, the people of old were commended.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word (rhema) of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (aiōn g165)
By faith we understand that the universe was formed by the word of God. Consequently, we know that what can be seen did not come from anything visible. (aiōn g165)
4 By 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 speaks.
By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
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.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death, and he was not to be found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, for anyone who comes to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, was moved with reverent fear and built an ark to save his household. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By 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:
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise.
10 For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
By faith Sarah herself received the ability to conceive, and she bore a child when she was beyond the proper age, because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.
12 Therefore sprang there even of 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.
And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them far off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
All these people died in faith without receiving the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance and welcomed them. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
For people who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
If they had been thinking of the land they left behind, they would have had an opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.
Instead, they were longing for a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his one and only son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall your seed be called:
even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac yoʋr descendants will be counted.”
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
He reasoned that God could even raise him from the dead. And figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped as he leaned on 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.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, mentioned the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they did not fear the decree of the king.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, 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;
choosing to be mistreated with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
He considered the reproach of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was focused on the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured as though he could see him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
By faith he celebrated the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the Israelites.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies in peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
who by faith conquered kingdoms, carried out justice, 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, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong from weakness, became mighty in battle, and routed the armies of foreigners.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Women received back their dead by resurrection. Other people were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Others endured mocking and flogging, as well as chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, and they were killed with the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins; they were destitute, afflicted, and mistreated.
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy: ) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
All these people were commended for their faith, but they did not receive what was promised.
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
For God had planned something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.
