1 ¶ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, conviction regarding things not seen.

2 For by faith our ancestors received God’s approval.

3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible.

4 ¶ By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was declared to be righteous, when God acknowledged his offering: and by faith he still speaks even though he is dead.

5 By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not experience death; and could not be found, because God took him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please God: for he who comes to him must believe that he exists, and that he rewards those who seek him.

7 By faith Noah, when warned by God concerning events not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark to save his family; and by his faith condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness of faith.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed, when he was called to go to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he lived as an outsider in the land of promise, dwelling in tents together with Isaac and Jacob, who were coheirs of the same promise:

10 For he looked forward to the city that has lasting foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11 Through faith Sarah also received the ability to conceive, and gave birth to a child when she was past age, because she believed that he who had made the promise would keep it.

12 Therefore from this one man, and him as good as dead, came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them afar off, believed them, and embraced them, acknowledging that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

15 And if they had been thinking of the country they left, they would have had opportunity to return.

16 Instead they were longing for a better country, 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 tested, offered up Isaac: and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it had been said, That in Isaac shall your seed be called:

19 Believing that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from which he received him in a figurative sense.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both of Joseph’s sons; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph spoke of the exodus of the children of Israel, when he was near death; and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months, after he was born, because they saw what a fine child he was; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

24 By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 Choosing to suffer persecution with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Regarding disgrace for the sake of Christ of greater value than all the treasures of Egypt: because he was looking ahead to his reward.

27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger: for he was resolute, as one who saw the invisible one.

28 Through faith he observed the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch his people.

29 By faith they walked through the Red sea as through dry land: but the Egyptians were drowned when they tried to do so.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after being encircled for seven days.

31 By faith Rahab the harlot received the spies in peace, and having done so did not die with those who did not believe.

32 ¶ And what else shall I say? I do not have time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; both David and Samuel, and the prophets:

33 Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were brought to power, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: but others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others endured mockery and scourging, as well as chains and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, persecuted, and mistreated;

38 The world was not worthy of them: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39 And all these, having received God’s approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised:

40 Since God had something better in mind for us, so that they would only arrive at their final destination together with us.