1Now faith is the conviction concerning those things that are in hope, as if it were these things in action, and the revelation of those things that are unseen; 2And by this there was a testimony concerning the ancients.

3For by faith we understand that the worlds were fashioned by the word of God, and these things that are seen came into being out of those things which are unseen.

4By faith, Abel offered to God a sacrifice much better than that of Cain, and because of it there is a testimony concerning him that he was righteous, and God testifies concerning his offering; and because of it, although he died, he also speaks. 5By faith, Enoch was transported away and he did not taste death, neither was he found, because God transported him away; for before he was to transport him, there was this testimony concerning him: “He pleased God.” 6But without faith, no one can please God, for whoever is brought near to God must believe that he exists and that he is the rewarder of those who seek him. 7By faith, Noah worshiped, when those things which had not been seen were spoken to him, and he made the Ark for the lives of his children in his household, by which he condemned the world, and he became the heir of the righteousness which is in faith.

8By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place that he was going to receive for an inheritance, and he went out when he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he became an inhabitant in that land which was promised to him, as in a foreign land, and he dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, his heirs of The Promise. 10For he was looking for The City which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11By faith also Sarah, who was sterile, received power to conceive seed, and she who was not in the time of her years gave birth, for she was sure that he who promised her was faithful. 12Because of this, from one who was failing in old age were born as many as the stars in the Heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore, which has no measure.

13These died in faith, all of them, and they did not receive their promise, but they saw it from a distance and rejoiced in it and confessed that they were foreigners and nomads in The Earth. 14But those who say these things show that they seek their City. 15And if they had been seeking that city which they had left, they had time to return again to it. 16Now it is apparent that they longed for better than that, which is in Heaven; because of this, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a City for them.

17By faith, Abraham offered Isaac during his testing, and laid his only son on the altar, whom he had received by The Promise. 18For it was said to him, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 19And he accepted in his soul that God was able to raise him from the dead, and because of this, he was given to him in a simile.

20By the faith of what was future, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. 21By faith, when Jacob was dying, he blessed each one of the sons of Joseph and bowed on the top of the staff. 22By faith, when Joseph was dying, he related the exodus of the children of Israel and gave orders about his bones.

23By faith, the parents of Moses hid him for three months when he was born, when they saw that the boy was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the King's commandment. 24By faith, Moses, when he became a man, renounced being called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25And he chose to remain in affliction with the people of God and not to enjoy sin for a short time. 26And he considered that the reproach of The Messiah was much greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was attentive to the payment of the reward. 27By faith he forsook Egypt and was not afraid of the rage of The King and he endured as if he had seen God, who is unseen. 28By faith he observed Passover and sprinkled the blood, lest he who was destroying the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith, they passed through The Sea of Reeds as upon dry land, and the Egyptians were swallowed up by it when they dared to enter it.

30By faith, the walls of Jericho fell, after it was walked around for seven days.

31By faith, Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who disobeyed, for she received the spies in peace.

32And what more shall I say? For I have little time to recount about Gideon and about Baraq, about Samson, about Jephthah, about David, about Samuel and about the other Prophets: 33Those who by faith conquered Kingdoms and wrought justice, received promises and shut the mouths of lions; 34They quenched the power of fire, were delivered from the edge of the sword, were strengthened out of weakness, became strong in battle and overturned enemy camps. 35And they gave women their children by resurrection of the dead, and others died by torture and did not expect to be delivered, that they would have a better resurrection; 36Others entered mockings and scourgings; others were handed over to chains and to prison cells; 37Others were stoned; others were sawn in half; others died by the edge of the sword; others traveled wearing skins of sheep and of goats, and were needy, afflicted and beaten; 38Persons of whom the world was not worthy; and they were as wanderers in desert places and in mountains and in caves and caverns of The Earth.

39And all of these, concerning whom there is a testimony of their faith, did not receive The Promise. 40Because God provided for our benefit that they would not be made perfect without us.