Hebrews 11:1-18 ▼

1 Now faith is an assurance of things hoped for, a sure persuasion of things not seen;

2 for in this the elders were well reported of.

3 By faith we perceive that the ages have been constituted by the word of God, so that what is seen has not arisen out of things that appear.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he received witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he, being dead, is still speaking.

5 By faith Enoch was translated, so as not to see death; and he was not found, because God translated him; for, it has been witnessed to him that, before his translation, he had been well-pleasing to God.

6 And, apart from faith, it is impossible to please Him ; for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He becomes a rewarder to those who seek after Him.

7 By faith Noah, being divinely instructed concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when called, obeyed to go forth into the place which he was about to receive for an inheritance; and he went forth, not knowing whither he was going.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as a foreign land , dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

10 for he was waiting for the city which has the foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received power to conceive seed, even when past the age of child-bearing, since she accounted Him faithful, Who promised.

12 Wherefore also there sprang from one, and one impotent as to these things, as many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.

13 These all died according to faith, not having obtained the promises, but having seen them from afar, and having greeted them , and having confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth.

14 For those who say such things make it manifest that they are seeking their paternal home.

15 And, if, indeed, they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.

16 But now they long for a better country , that is, a heavenly one ; wherefore, God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for He prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when tried, has offered up Isaac; yea, he who gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son ,

18 to whom it was said, "In Isaac shall your seed be called;"