Hebrews 11
1 Now, faith is the confidence of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the conviction of what we do not see.
2 By this, the ancients obtained reputation.
Because of their faith, the people of old were commended.
3 By faith, we understand that the worlds were formed by the word of God; so that the things which were 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 to God a better sacrifice than Cain, on account of which he was commended as righteous; God testifying in favor of his oblations: and so, by it, though dead he still 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 might not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him; for, before his translation, it was testified 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 God. For he who comes to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them who 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, when he received a revelation concerning things not yet seen, being seized with religious fear, prepared an ark for the salvation of his family; by which he condemned the world, and became an 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 called to go out into a place which he should afterward receive as an inheritance, obeyed, and went out, not knowing whither he was going.
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 foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the joint heirs 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 expected the city having 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 By faith, also, Sarah herself received strength for the conception of seed, and brought forth, when past the time of life; 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 And, therefore, there sprang from one who was dead, in this respect, a race, as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is on 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 All these died in faith, not having received the promises. For, seeing the things promised, afar off, and embracing them, they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims in the land.
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 Now they who speak such things, plainly declare that they earnestly seek a country.
For people who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15 For truly, if they had remembered that from which they came out, they might have had an opportunity to return it.
If they had been thinking of the land they left behind, they would have had an opportunity to return.
16 But, indeed, they strongly desired a better country; that is, a heavenly. Therefore, God is not ashamed of them--to be called their God; because 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 tried, offered up Isaac; he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten,
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 concerning whom it was said, that "In Isaac shall thy seed be called";
even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac yoʋr descendants will be counted.”
19 reasoning that God was able to raise him even from the dead; from whence, indeed, 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, with respect to things to come.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith, Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, bowing on 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 dying, made mention concerning 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 born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and 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 grown up, 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 evil with the people of God, than to have the temporary fruition of sin,
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 of Egypt; for he looked forward to the retribution.
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 left Egypt, not being afraid of the wrath of the king. For he courageously persevered, as perceiving the invisible God.
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 By faith, he appointed the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood; that he who destroyed the first-born, might not 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 attempting 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, having been encompassed seven days.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith, Rahab, the harlot, was not destroyed with the unbelievers, having received the spies in 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 say more? for the time would fail me, to speak of Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jepthah, and David, also, and Samuel, and 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 kingdom, 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 strength of fire, escaped the edges of the sword, grew strong from sickness, became valiant in battle, overturned the camps 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 by a resurrection, 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 mockings and scourgings; and, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.
Others endured mocking and flogging, as well as chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they died by the slaughter of the sword, they went about in sheep skins, and in goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, maltreated;
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 these the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and mountains, and in caves, and holes 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 Now, all these, though commanded on account of faith, did not receive the promise,
All these people were commended for their faith, but they did not receive what was promised.
40 God having provided something better 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.
