King James Bible

International Standard Version

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

1Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists.

2For by it the elders obtained a good report.

2By faith our ancestors won approval.

3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

3By faith we understand that time was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are invisible.

4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did, and by faith he was declared to be righteous, since God himself accepted his offerings. And by faith he continues to speak, even though he is dead.

5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

5By faith Enoch was taken away without experiencing death. He could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he won approval as one who pleased God.

6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

6Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently search for him.

7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark to save his family, and by faith he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who also inherited the same promise,

10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

10because he was waiting for the city with permanent foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

11By faith Sarah, even though she was old and barren, received the strength to conceive, because she was convinced that the one who had made the promise was faithful.

12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

12Abraham was as good as dead, yet from this one man came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

13All these people died having faith. They did not receive the things that were promised, yet they saw them in the distant future and welcomed them, acknowledging that they were strangers and foreigners on earth.

14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

14For people who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.

15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

15If they had been thinking about what they had left behind, they would have had an opportunity to go back.

16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

16Instead, they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac—he who had received the promises was about to offer his unique son in sacrifice,

18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

18about whom it had been said, "It is through Isaac that descendants will be named for you."

19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

19Abraham was certain that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did get Isaac back in this way.

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

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

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

21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons "and worshipped while leaning on the top of his staff."

22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelis and gave them instructions about burying his bones.

23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

23By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child and were not afraid of the king's order.

24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter,

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

25because he preferred being mistreated with God's people to enjoying the pleasures of sin for a short time.

26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

26He thought that being insulted for the sake of the Messiah was of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

27By faith he left Egypt, without being afraid of the king's anger, and he persevered because he saw the one who is invisible.

28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

28By faith he established the Passover and the sprinkling of blood to keep the destroyer of the firstborn from touching the people.

29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

29By faith they went through the Red Sea as if it were dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do this, they were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not die with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies with a greeting of peace.

32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

32And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.

33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

33Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, received promises, shut the mouths of lions,

34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

34put out raging fires, escaped death by the sword, found strength in weakness, became powerful in battle, and routed foreign armies.

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

35Women received their dead raised back to life. Other people were brutally tortured, but refused to be ransomed, so that they might gain a better resurrection.

36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

36Still others endured taunts and floggings, and even chains and imprisonment.

37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

37They were stoned to death, sawed in half, and killed with swords. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins. They were needy, oppressed, and mistreated.

38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

38The world wasn't worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and from caves to holes in the ground.

39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

39All these people won approval for their faith but they did not receive what was promised,

40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

40since God had planned something better for us, so that they would not be perfected without us.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.