Hebritɔwo 11
1 Azɔ la, xɔse nye kaka ɖe nu siwo míekpɔ mɔ na la dzi kple dziɖoɖo ɖe nu siwo míekpɔ o la ŋu.
It is because people trust [God] that they are sure that they will receive the things that they confidently expect [God to give them]. They are also certain [that they will see those things], though no one sees them yet.
2 To xɔse mee ame siwo do ŋgɔ la kpɔ ɖaseɖiɖi nyui le Mawu gbɔ.
It was because our ancestors trusted in God that they pleased him.
3 To xɔse me míese egɔme be Mawu ɖe gbe, eye xexea me va dzɔ, ale be wòwɔ nu si wokpɔna la tso nu si womekpɔna o la me. (aiōn g165)
It is because we trust in God that we understand that he formed the universe by commanding [it to exist]. The result is that the things that we see were not made from things that already existed. (aiōn g165)
4 To xɔse me Abel tsɔ vɔsasa si nyo wu Kain tɔ la na Mawu. To xɔse me wokafui be enye ame dzɔdzɔe esi Mawu ƒo nu nyui tso eƒe vɔsa la ŋu. To xɔse me wògale nu ƒom ko, togbɔ be eku hã.
It was because [Adam’s son] Abel trusted God that he sacrificed something better to God than what [his older brother] Cain offered to God. Because Abel did that, when God spoke well about what Abel sacrificed, God declared that Abel was righteous. And although Abel is dead, we still learn from him [about trusting God].
5 To xɔse me wokɔ Enɔk dzoe tso agbe sia me, ale be meɖɔ ku kpɔ o, ale womegakpɔe o, elabena Mawu kɔe dzoe. Elabena hafi woakɔe dzoe la, wogblɔ tso eŋu be Mawu kpɔ ŋudzedze le eya amea ŋuti.
It was because Enoch believed [God that God] took him [up to heaven]. The result was that he did not die. No one found him, because he was taken up {[God] had removed him} from the earth [to heaven]. Before [God] took him away, [he] testified that Enoch pleased him well.
6 Xɔse manɔmee la ame aɖeke mate ŋu adze Mawu ŋu o, elabena ame si va Mawu gbɔ la ele be wòaxɔe se be Mawu li eye wòɖoa eteƒe na ame siwo dinɛ vevie.
It is possible for people to please God only if they trust God, because anyone who wants to come to God must first believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek [to know] him.
7 To xɔse me esi woxlɔ̃ nu Noa tso nu siwo mekpɔ dzɔ haɖe o ŋuti la etsɔ vɔvɔ̃ kɔkɔe kpa aɖakaʋu be wòaɖe eya kple eƒe ƒomea. To eƒe xɔse me wòbu fɔ xexea me, eye wòzu dzɔdzɔenyenye si vana to xɔse me la ƒe domenyila.
It was because Noah trusted [God] that after he was warned by God {after [God] warned him} about [a flood that] had not yet happened, Noah [showed that he] revered God by building a huge ship to save his family. By doing that, he [showed all the people who did not believe him] [MTY] [that they deserved to be condemned] {[that God would] condemn them}. He was someone whom God declared to be righteous because of his trusting in God.
8 To xɔse me esi woyɔ Abraham be wòayi teƒe si wòava xɔ wòazu eƒe domenyinu la, eɖo to, eye wòyi, togbɔ be menya afi si yim wònɔ o hã.
It was because Abraham trusted God that when he was told to go {when [God] told him to go}, he obeyed [God], he left [his own country], and went to a place that God would give him. Abraham left his own country, even though he did not know where he would be going.
9 To xɔse me ewɔ nɔƒe ɖe ŋugbedodonyigba la dzi, eye wònɔ afi ma abe amedzro si le dzronyigba dzi la ene, elabena enɔ avɔgbadɔwo me. Nenema kee nye Isak kple Yakob ame siwo hã nye ŋugbedodo ma ke ƒe domenyilawo kplii.
It was because Abraham trusted God that he lived as though he was a foreigner in the land that [God] had promised to him. Abraham lived in tents, and his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob did also. God promised to give to Isaac and Jacob the same things that he promised to give Abraham.
10 Elabena Abraham nɔ mɔ kpɔm na du si Mawu ŋutɔ nye egɔmeɖola, aɖaŋuwɔla kple etula.
Abraham was waiting to live in a city [in heaven] that would exist forever [MET]. It was a city that God is building [DOU].
11 To xɔse me esi Abraham tsi xɔ ƒe geɖe hã la, ete ŋu dzi Vi. Nenema kee nye srɔ̃a Sara hã, ame si tsi ko tsã. To xɔse me Abraham zu fofo, elabena Mawu ame si do ŋugbe nɛ la, bui nuteƒewɔlae.
It was because Abraham trusted God that God gave Abraham strength so that he [was] able to produce a son. Even though his wife Sarah was past the age [when women bear children], [God] promised [that he would give her a son], and Abraham considered that God would do what he promised to do.
12 Ale to ame ɖeka sia dzi, ame si ŋu míate ŋu agblɔ le be megale ŋutsu me o la, dzidzime geɖe siwo sɔ gbɔ abe ɣletiviwo le dziŋgɔli ŋu kple ƒutake ene la va dzɔ.
So, although Abraham was also too old to have children, so many people descended from that one man that they were as numerous as the stars in the sky and are as countless as the grains of sand along the seashore, [just like God promised him].
13 Ame siawo katã va ku esime wogalé xɔse me ɖe asi ko. Womexɔ nu siwo ƒe ŋugbe wodo na wo la o, ɖeko wokpɔ wo, do dzaa na wo le adzɔge, eye woʋu eme be amedzrowo kple mɔzɔlawo yewonye le anyigba dzi le afii.
It was while they still trusted in God that all those people died. Even though they had not yet received the things that God had promised to give them, [it was as though] they saw those things in a distance. They were glad [to know] about what God promised. It was as though they admitted that they were not from this earth, but that they were only here temporarily.
14 Ame siwo gblɔ nya siawo tɔgbi la ɖee fia be wole woawo ŋutɔ ƒe dedu dim.
As for those people who talk like that, they clearly show that they long for [a place that will become] their true native land.
15 Nenye be du si me wotso la ŋuti bum wonɔ la, anye ne mɔnukpɔkpɔ anɔ wo si be woatrɔ ayi.
If they had been thinking about [that place being] the place from which they had come, they would have taken the opportunity to return there.
16 Le esia teƒe la, wole du si nyo wu esi nye dziƒotɔ la dim. Eya ta menye ŋukpe na Mawu be woayɔe be woƒe Mawu o, elabena edzra du nyui aɖe ɖo ɖi na wo.
But, instead, they desired a better [place in which to live]; that is, they desired [a home] in heaven. So God has prepared a city for them to live [with him], and he is pleased [LIT] for them to say that he is their God.
17 To xɔse me esi Mawu do Abraham kpɔ la, etsɔ via Isak be yeasa vɔe, eya ame si xɔ ŋugbedodoawo la nɔ klalo be yeatsɔ Via ŋutsuvi ɖeka hɔ̃ɔ la asa vɔe,
It was because Abraham trusted [God] that he [was ready to] kill his son Isaac as a sacrifice when [God] tested him. This same man to whom [God] promised [to give] ([a son/many descendants]) was going to sacrifice [that same son], the only son [whom his own wife had borne]!
18 togbɔ be Mawu gblɔ nɛ be, “To Isak dzi la, dzidzimevi siwo katã ƒe ŋugbe wodo na wò la ava dzɔ” hã.
It was to Abraham that God said, “It is [only] from Isaac that I will consider your family to descend.”
19 Abraham dze sii be Mawu ate ŋu afɔ ame kukuwo ɖe tsitre, eye woate ŋu agblɔe ko be exɔ Isak tso ku me.
Abraham considered that [to fulfill that promise], God could make [Isaac] live again [even if] he had died [after Abraham sacrificed him]! The result was that when Abraham did receive Isaac back [after God told him not to harm Isaac], it was as though he received him back even after he died.
20 To xɔse me Isak yra Yakob kple Esau, ku ɖe nu si woava nye le etsɔ me ŋuti.
It was because Isaac trusted God that he [prayed that after he died, God would] bless [his] sons Jacob and Esau.
21 To xɔse me Yakob yra Yosef viŋutsuwo le esime eƒe kuɣi ɖo, eye wòziɔ ɖe eƒe atitɔɖeŋu ŋuti hesubɔ Mawu.
It was because Jacob trusted God that, as he was dying, he [prayed that God would] bless each of the sons of [his own son Joseph]. He worshipped God as he leaned upon his walking stick [before he died].
22 To xɔse me esime Yosef ƒe kuɣi ɖo la, eƒo nu tso Israelviwo ƒe gododo le Egipte ŋuti, eye wògblɔ ɖoɖo tso eƒe ƒuwo ŋuti na wo.
It was because Joseph trusted God that, when he was about to die [in Egypt], he anticipated the time when the Israelis would leave Egypt; and he instructed [that] his people [should carry] his bones [with them when they] ([left Egypt/returned to Canaan]).
23 To xɔse me Mose dzilawo ɣlae ɣleti etɔ̃ sɔŋ le edzidzi vɔ megbe, elabena wokpɔe dze sii be menye vidzĩ dzodzro aɖe koe wònye o, eya ta womevɔ̃ na fia la ƒe se dzi dada o.
It was because Moses’ father and mother trusted God that they hid [their son] for three months shortly after he was born, because they saw that he was so beautiful. They were not afraid of [disobeying] what the king of Egypt had commanded, [namely, that all the Jewish male babies must be killed].
24 To xɔse me esi Mose va tsi la, egbe be womayɔ ye be Farao vinyɔnu ƒe viŋutsu o
The daughter of the [king, whom they called] Pharaoh, [raised] Moses, but when he had grown up, it was because he trusted God that he refused to [accept the privileges that would have been his if people] considered that he was (the son of the king’s daughter/the king’s own grandson).
25 ke boŋ elɔ̃ be yeakpe fu kple Mawu ƒe amewo wu be yease nu vɔ̃ ƒe vivi hena ɣeyiɣi kpui aɖe ko.
He decided that it was better for others to mistreat him for a time along with the Israeli people, than to temporarily enjoy living sinfully [in the King’s palace].
26 Ebu vlododo le “Kristo” ta nu xɔasi wu kesinɔnu siwo katã nɔ Egipte, elabena enɔ mɔ kpɔm na eƒe fetu gã si nɔ ŋgɔgbe.
This is because he decided that if he suffered for the Messiah, it would be worth far more [in God’s sight] than his owning all the treasures of Egypt [that he would receive as Pharaoh’s heir. He decided that] because he looked forward to the time when [God would give him] an [eternal] reward.
27 To xɔse me Mose dzo le Egipte, eye mevɔ̃ na fia la ƒe dziku o, ke boŋ edo vevi nu, elabena ekpɔ eya ame si womekpɔna kple ŋku o.
It was because he trusted God that he left Egypt. He was not afraid that the king would be angry [because of his doing that]. He (kept going/did not turn back) because [it was as though] he kept seeing [God], whom no one can see.
28 To xɔse me Mose ɖo Ŋutitotoŋkekenyui kple ʋuhehlẽ ɖi anyi, ale be nugblẽla si wu ŋgɔgbeviwo la maka asi Israelviwo ƒe ŋgɔgbeviwo ŋu o.
It was because Moses believed [that God would save his own people] that he instituted the [festival called] Passover. He did that [by commanding that the people should kill lambs and] sprinkle their blood [on their] doorposts. They did that in order that [the angel who] causes people to die would not kill [EUP] the oldest male Israelites [when he killed the oldest sons in each Egyptian family].
29 To xɔse me Israelviwo tso Ƒu Dzĩ la abe anyigba ƒuƒui dzie wozɔ ene, gake esi Egiptetɔwo hã dze agbagba be yewoawɔ nenema la, wo katã tsi Ƒu Dzĩ la me.
It was because they trusted God that [when] the [Israelite] people walked through [where] the Red Sea [had been, it was] as [though they walked] on dry land! But, when the [army of] Egypt also attempted to [cross that same water], they drowned, because [the sea came back and flooded them]!
30 To xɔse me Yeriko ƒe gliwo mu esi Israelviwo ƒo xlãe ŋkeke adre.
It was because the [Israeli] people trusted God that the walls around Jericho [city] collapsed, after the Israelis marched around the walls for seven days.
31 To xɔse me gbolo Rahab, esi wòxɔ ŋkutsalawo ta la, womewui kpe ɖe tosẽlawo ŋuti o.
Rahab [had been] a prostitute, but because she trusted God, she did not perish with those [inside Jericho] who disobeyed [God. Joshua sent some spies] into the city [in order] to find ways to destroy it, but God saved her because she welcomed those spies [peaceably].
32 Ɖe wògahiã be mayi edzia? Ɣeyiɣi mele asinye be maƒo nu le Gideon, Barak, Samson, Yefta, David, Samuel kple Nyagblɔɖila bubuwo ŋuti o,
I do not know what more I should say [RHQ] [about others who trusted in God]. It would take too much time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the [other] prophets.
33 ame siwo to xɔse me xɔ fiaɖuƒewo, ɖu dzi le dzɔdzɔenyenye me, eye woƒe asi su nu si ƒe ŋugbe wodo la dzi. Ame siawo de ga nu na dzatawo,
It was because they trusted God that some of them [did great things for him]. Some conquered lands ruled by powerful men. Some ruled [Israel] and justly [punished those men and nations who rebelled against God]. Some obtained [from God] the things that he promised to give them [MTY].
34 tsi dzo ƒe aɖewo nu, eye wosi le yi nu, ame siwo ƒe gbɔdzɔgbɔdzɔ trɔ zu ŋusẽ, wozu kalẽtɔwo le aʋa me, eye woɖu dzronyigbadziʋakɔwo dzi.
Some forced lions to keep their mouths shut. Some escaped from being destroyed by fire. Some of those people escaped from [being killed with] a sword [MTY]. Some of those [people who trusted God] were made strong {became mighty} again after they had once been weak. Some became powerful when they fought wars. Some caused armies [that came from foreign lands] to run away from them.
35 Wogbɔ agbe nyɔnu siwo ƒe lɔlɔ̃tɔwo ku, eye wotsɔ wo na wo agbagbe. Wowɔ funyafunya ame bubuwo, eye wogbe be womegana ablɔɖe yewo o, ale be tsitretsitsi si nyo wu la nasu yewo si.
Some women [who trusted God] received [their relatives] back again when [God] ([made them live again after they had died/raised them from the dead]). But [others who trusted God] were tortured until they died. They were tortured because they refused to agree when [their captors said, “We will] release you [if you deny that you believe in God.” They refused to do that], because they wanted to live with God forever, which is better than [continuing to live on earth] after having almost died.
36 Woɖu fewu le ame aɖewo ŋu, woƒo ɖewo kple atam, ke wode ga bubuwo, eye wode wo gaxɔ me.
Other [people who trusted God] were mocked; [some had their backs] cut [open by being struck] with leaded whips. Some were chained and put in prison.
37 Woƒu kpe wo, wodze wo kple laxalaxa ɖe eve, eye wowu wo kple yi. Wonɔ yiyim le alẽgbalẽwuwo kple gbɔ̃gbalẽwuwo me le ahedada gã aɖe me. Woti wo yome, eye wosẽ ŋuta le wo ŋu,
[Some of] those believers were stoned to death {People [killed some of those believers by] throwing stones at them}. Others were cut completely in two. Others were killed with swords. Others of these people who trusted God wandered around the land [wearing garments made only of] skins from sheep and goats. They did not have any money. They were continually oppressed and tormented {People continuously oppressed them and tormented them}.
38 womeɖi naneke le xexe sia me o. Wonɔ tsaglãla tsam le gbedzi, towo dzi, agadowo me kple agakpetowo me le anyigba dzi.
[The people on earth who caused those who trusted in God to suffer were so bad that] they did not deserve [to live with people who trusted God. Some who trusted God] wandered in deserts and on mountains. Some lived in caves and in other [large] holes in the ground.
39 Woɖi ɖase nyui le ame siawo katã ŋuti le woƒe xɔse ta, ke hã la, wo dometɔ aɖeke mexɔ nu si ƒe ŋugbe wodo la o.
Although all these people were commended [by God] {[God] commended all these people} because they trusted him, God did not give them all that he promised them [while they were alive].
40 Mawu wɔ ɖoɖo si nyo wu la ɖe mía ŋuti, ale be ne wowɔ ɖeka kpli mí la hafi ko woade blibo.
God knew ahead of time that what he would give us and them [later] would be better than giving [them immediately what he promised]. What God intends is that only when they and we are together will we have all that God intends us to have.
