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Hebrews 11
Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for,
the evidence of things that appear not.
For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.
By faith we understand that the world was framed by
the word of God; that from invisible things visible
things might be made.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages,
with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.
For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose
builder and maker is God.
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,
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.
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.
For they that say these things, do signify that they
seek a country. 15 And truly if they had been mindful
of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless
time to return.
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.
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac:
and he that had received the promises, offered up his
only begotten son;
(To whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called.)
Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the
dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable.
By faith also of things to come, Isaac blessed Jacob
and Esau.
By faith Jacob dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph,
and adored the top of his rod.
By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of
the going out of the children of Israel; and gave commandment
concerning his bones.
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.
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself
to be the son of Pharao's daughter;
Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God,
than to have the pleasure of sin for a time,
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than
the treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the
reward.
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of
the king: for he endured as seeing him that is invisible.
By faith he celebrated the pasch, and the shedding of
the blood; that he, who destroyed the firstborn, might
not touch them.
By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry
land: which the Egyptians attempting, were swallowed
up.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, by the going
round them seven days.
By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers,
receiving the spies with peace.
And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me
to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel,
and the prophets:
Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
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:
Women received their dead raised to life again. But
others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that
they might find a better resurrection.
And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover
also of bands and prisons.
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:
Of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts,
in mountains, and in dens, and in caved of the earth.
And all these being approved by the testimony of faith,
received not the promise;
God providing some better thing for us, that they should
not be perfected without us. |