1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. 2For by this kind of faith the elders obtained a good report.

3By faith we understand that the worlds were created by the word of God, so that the things that are seen were made from things that are invisible.

4By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it, though he died, he is yet speaking. 5By faith Enoch was transported so that he would not look upon death, and was not found because God had transported him; for before his departure it was testified of him that he pleased God. 6Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For it is mandatory for the one who comes to God to believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7By faith Noah, after being divinely instructed by God about the things he could not yet see, was moved with fear and prepared an ark for the salvation of his house; through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8By faith Abraham, being called of God to go out into the place which he would later receive for an inheritance, obeyed and went, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, like a foreigner, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the joint heirs of the same promise; 10For he was waiting for the city with the foundations of which God is the Architect and Builder. 11By faith also Sarah herself received power to conceive seed, and gave birth when she was well beyond the childbearing age because she esteemed Him faithful Who had personally promised her a son. 12Because of this faith, there came into being from one man--and moreover, one who was reproductively dead-- descendants as numerous as the stars in the heavens, and as countless as the sand on the sea shore.

13All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar, and having been persuaded of them, and having embraced them, and having confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. 14For those who say such things make it manifest that they seek their own country, as promised by God. 15And if, on the one hand, they had let their minds dwell fondly on the place where they came from, they might have had opportunity to return. 16But now, on the other hand, they are aspiring to a more excellent country-- that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God because He has prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when he was being tried, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son 18Of whom it was said, "In Isaac shall your Seed be called"; 19Because he reckoned that God was able to raise him even from among the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative way.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things that were to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped God, leaning on the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when he was dying, spoke of the coming exodus of the children of Israel, and gave a command concerning his bones.

23By faith Moses, after he was born, was hidden three months by his parents because they saw that he was a beautiful little child; and they did not fear the king's decree. 24By faith Moses, after becoming a great leader, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25Choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the temporary pleasure of sin; 26For he esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking intently to the reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as if he were seeing the One Who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not slay them. 29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through a dry land in which the Egyptians, while making the attempt, were swallowed up by the waters.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell after being circled for seven days.

31By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who disobeyed because she had received the spies peaceably.

32Now what more can I say? For time would fail me to relate the accounts of Gideon, Barak also, and Samson and Jephthah, David also, and Samuel, and the prophets; 33Who by faith were victorious over kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34Quenched the fury of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were strengthened from weakness, became mighty in war, and turned back the armies of foreigners. 35Women received their dead restored to life; and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a superior resurrection; 36And others endured the trial of cruel mockings and scourgings; yes, and moreover, of chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned to death, they were sawed in two, they were brutally interrogated, and slaughtered by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and in goatskins, being destitute, oppressed, and ill-treated; 38Of whom the world was not worthy; they wandered in deserts and in mountains, living in caves and in holes in the earth.

39But these all, though they had received a good report through faith, did not obtain the promise 40Because God had determined in advance to provide something superior for us so that without us they would not be made perfect.