What faith is. Its wonderful fruits and efficacy demonstrated in the
fathers.
11:1. Now, faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the
evidence of things that appear not.
11:2. For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.
11:3. By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of
God: that from invisible things visible things might be made.
11:4. By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain,
by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony
to his gifts. And by it he being dead yet speaketh.
11:5. By faith Henoch was translated that he should not see death: and
he was not found because God had translated him. For before his
translation he had testimony that he pleased God.
11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that
cometh to God must believe that he is: and is a rewarder to them that
seek him.
11:7. By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things
which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the
saving of his house: by the which he condemned the world and was
instituted heir of the justice which is by faith.
11:8. By faith he that is called Abraham obeyed to go out into a place
which he was to receive for an inheritance. And he went out, not
knowing whither he went.
He that is called Abraham. . .or, Abraham being called.
11:9. By faith he abode in the land of promise, as in a strange
country, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of
the same promise.
11:10. For he looked for a city that hath foundations: whose builder
and maker is God.
11:11. By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to
conceive seed, even past the time of age: because she believed that he
was faithful who had promised,
11:12. For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as
dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude and as the sand which is by
the sea shore innumerable.
11:13. All these died according to faith, not having received the
promises but beholding them afar off and saluting them and confessing
that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth.
11:14. For they that say these things do signify that they seek a
country.
11:15. And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence they
came out, they had doubtless, time to return.
11:16. But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly
country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he
hath prepared for them a city.
11:17. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that
had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,